By Mercy Aikoye
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has urged for swift and coordinated action to tackle the pressing issues of insecurity, poverty, and infrastructural decay plaguing the North-West region of Nigeria. He made this call at the inauguration of the House Committee on the North-West Development Commission (NWDC) at the National Assembly.
Tajudeen emphasized that the region’s developmental crisis requires immediate attention to prevent further deterioration. He noted that the North-West has faced systemic neglect, worsening insecurity, and economic decline for far too long. The Speaker urged the NWDC to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment and develop a 10-year strategic plan to guide its interventions.
The Speaker also highlighted the devastating impact of insecurity on the region’s economy. Once-thriving industries like the textile sector in Kaduna and Kano have nearly collapsed due to violence and policy failures. He warned that banditry and rural violence have crippled agricultural production, displaced thousands, and forced children out of school.
Tajudeen commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritizing regional development through initiatives like the National Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy and the National Livestock Transformation Plan. These efforts have led to a 5% annual increase in livestock production, benefiting over 1.5 million households.
The Speaker called on the newly inaugurated House Committee to exercise robust oversight, ensuring that the NWDC delivers on its mandate without political interference or mismanagement. He stressed that the development of the North-West is not just a regional necessity but a national imperative.
Chairman of the House Committee on the North-West Development Commission, Hon. Gumi, pledged to lead a transparent and results-driven approach to addressing the region’s socio-economic and security challenges. He emphasized the importance of security, stressing that sustainable development cannot be achieved in a region plagued by banditry, kidnapping, and economic downturns.
Gumi outlined his vision for the Committee, vowing to ensure that all NWDC initiatives are people-driven, inclusive, and anchored on transparency and accountability. He proposed a work plan focusing on youth empowerment, infrastructural development, improved security, and leveraging the region’s agricultural and commercial potential to drive sustainable economic growth.
Gumi concluded by calling on all stakeholders, including federal and state governments, traditional leaders, civil society organizations, and the private sector, to collaborate in ensuring that the NWDC fulfills its mandate. He emphasized the need for unity, dedication, and shared purpose to address the challenges and create lasting change for the North-West region.
