Senate queries N/West commission over N943m board allowances

The Senate Committee on Regional Development has raised concerns over the operations of the North West Development Commission (NWDC), questioning the spending of about N943 million on board allowances and the delay in appointing executive directors.

At an investigative session with officials of the commission and the Ministry of Regional Development, lawmakers asked why the NWDC remains the only regional development commission without executive directors despite being among the first established by an Act of the National Assembly.

The Minister of State for Regional Development, Alhaji Uba Maigari Ahmadu, said the ministry had to intervene in a prolonged dispute over the commission’s office accommodation in Kano.

He said the NWDC initially operated from offices donated by private organisations, but disagreements over its permanent headquarters caused friction between the board and management.

According to him, the Kano State Government has now provided a furnished office, operational vehicles and land for the commission, while all temporary offices have been shut.

Ahmadu said the absence of executive directors has weakened the commission’s management and affected its operations since the board was inaugurated in February 2025.

During the session, senators also questioned several expenditure items, including the Duty Tour Allowance claimed by the Managing Director for a visit to the Governor of Kano State, despite the commission’s headquarters being in Kano.

The committee expressed concern that out of the commission’s total expenditure of N1.19 billion, about N943 million—nearly 79 per cent—was spent on board allowances.

Lawmakers described the spending as inconsistent with the commission’s mandate to address insecurity and infrastructure deficits in the North West.

Responding, the Chairman of the Governing Board, Prof. Abdullahi Shehu Ma’aji, said the board acted within the provisions of the North West Development Commission Act, 2024.

He said the board had held seven meetings—five regular and two emergency sessions—and passed 63 resolutions to establish the commission’s institutional and policy framework.

Despite the explanations, the committee maintained its concerns over delays in staff recruitment and the implementation of the commission’s capital budget.

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