By Anayo Akwitti
The Senate Committee on the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) has described the commission’s monthly allocation of N2.9 billion as grossly inadequate, saying it falls far short of the N140 billion appropriated for the agency in the 2026 budget.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Titus Zam, stated this on Tuesday while briefing journalists after an interactive session with the management of the commission.
He noted that the current monthly releases, if sustained for 12 months, would amount to less than half of the commission’s approved annual budget.
“If you give someone that has a budget of N140 billion, N2.9 billion per month, in 12 months, it won’t be up to half of the entire budgetary sum.
“I suppose that is just a temporary package. When the commission finally comes to fruition, much more funds will be released.
So we thank Mr. President and the executive for releasing something now, but we look forward to more,” Zam said.
Despite the funding concerns, the lawmaker said the committee would ensure the available resources are prudently utilised by providing oversight and guiding the commission on priority areas.
He urged the NCDC to place greater emphasis on agriculture, describing the North Central as Nigeria’s food basket with vast arable land, favourable rainfall and rich vegetation.
Zam also called on the commission to support security agencies and state governments in tackling insecurity across the region while prioritising rural infrastructure and development to improve the living conditions of communities.
He expressed confidence that as the commission becomes fully operational, it would receive increased funding to effectively deliver on its mandate of accelerating development across the North Central region.
