Leveraging regional development commissions for inclusive growth
As the American philosopher and professor, Noam Chomsky has said, “There are no poor countries — only systems that have failed in managing resources.” The world is feeling the void being created by his dimming voice, but what he has said or written continues to prick the consciences of leaders. As Nigeria grapples with its […]
As the American philosopher and professor, Noam Chomsky has said, “There are no poor countries — only systems that have failed in managing resources.” The world is feeling the void being created by his dimming voice, but what he has said or written continues to prick the consciences of leaders.
As Nigeria grapples with its developmental challenges, one of the elements introduced into the equation is the Regional Development Commissions. They aim to improve the lives of Nigerians, irrespective of where they live, by addressing regional disparities, promoting economic growth, and providing essential services. While the commissions have shown promise, their effectiveness varies due to challenges like corruption, inadequate funding, and poor governance.
This led to the establishment of these commissions: the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). This body, inaugurated by President Olusegun Obasanjo in December 1999, was fashioned as a rescue vehicle to pull back the oil-rich Niger Delta region from the devastation of oil exploration. Since then, billions of naira and dollars as well have been sunk into the region. It has, over the years has, been criticised for poor performance and corruption related to resource misapplication. The North East Development Commission was tasked with the responsibility of rebuilding and resettling communities that had been ravaged by insurgency following the emergence of Boko Haram in 2009 in that region. The activities of other terror groups in the region have made the task of rebuilding a lot more challenging.
Coming down to the Middle Belt, the North Central Development Commission was established to address issues peculiar to the region then.These developmental challenges focused on infrastructure, agriculture, and solid minerals. Similarly, the North West Development Commission was designed to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen security, and increase educational opportunities in the region.
Down in the south, the South East Development Commission is focused on revitalising infrastructure, supporting industrialisation, and boosting trade and commerce, the latter being the hallmark of the region. The southeast had endured the torture of decrepit infrastructure that dates back to the end of the 1970s and 1980s. Without a doubt, rebuilding the roads and other facilities would spur economic and social activities in the region. In the same vein, the South West Development Commission was designed to tackle infrastructural deficits and ecological problems in the region.
Clearly, then, no part of Nigeria is without development challenges, as the responsibilities of each of the commissions above show. Each region has its own share of problems. This explains the fact that right now, each of Nigeria’s six regions has a development commission, if the NDDC is counted as taking care of the Niger Delta. Even then, there have been talks concerning the establishment of a South-South Development Commission.
However, as these commissions take shape, Nigerians are holding their breath, expecting tangible improvements in infrastructure, economic opportunities, and quality of life. From the North East to the Niger Delta, Nigerians are eagerly anticipating the impact of the RDCs on their communities, hoping for better roads, schools, and healthcare. They are expecting a new era of development, growth, and prosperity. One thing seems certain, though: the road to the achievement of these goals will require transparency, accountability, and effective governance.
Their establishment was premised on the concept of decentralisaiton of administrative centres to take their impact to the grassroots. It was based on the principle of power devolution or decentralisation of the centres of power. With this, the commissions are expected to act as the fulcrums for growth, development, and social welfare improvement at the regional level. And with their coming, Nigeria’s Regional Development Commissions are saddled with the responsibility of revitalising local economies, improving infrastructure, and enhancing the well-being of the citizens.
Whether this will happen or how fast it will take place hinges on how efficiently the resources will be deployed by the leaders of the commissions.
So far, however, some of the commissions have invested in building roads, schools, and healthcare facilities. They have improved infrastructure and access to essential services. The NEDC, for instance, is known to have paid attention to the rebuilding of infrastructure damaged by insurgency, such as roads, schools, and healthcare facilities. This is supporting the recovery and development taking place in the region. They are also involved in economic empowerment initiatives such as the promotion of entrepreneurship, job creation, and supporting small and medium enterprises as a means of boosting local economies.
These mustn’t be given as tokens. The fundamental objectives of the commissions must be pursued with commitment to ensure they are achieved. And they must be tackled from an integrated project. For instance, revitalising infrastructure without a concomitant empowerment of the rural populace will amount to a waste. There must be viable economic activities going on in the rural communities to justify the investment in infrastructure.