The Senate Committee on Regional Development has raised concerns over the spending and operational structure of the North West Development Commission, NWDC, nearly five months after its inauguration.
The lawmakers alleged that nearly 79 percent of the N1.19 billion spent by the commission, about N943 million, went to board allowances.
The committee also queried why NWDC remains the only regional development commission without executive directors and employees since it was inaugurated in February 2025.
Representatives of the supervising ministry, the NWDC board, and the Managing Director appeared before the committee to explain challenges affecting the commission’s operations.
Despite the explanations, the Senate panel insisted that urgent action is needed for the commission to deliver on its mandate of development and security in the North West region.
Committee members said the current spending pattern and lack of staff raise questions about the commission’s capacity to execute projects and interventions for which it was established.
The NWDC was set up to address infrastructure deficits, economic challenges, and security issues across the North West geopolitical zone.
