…Says; region is a people oriented zone with resources to be tapped
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the North Central Development Commission, Dr Cosmas Akighir has described the North Central geopolitical zone as a people oriented region with enormous resources waiting to be tap and utilized for the benefit of the region and the nation at large.
Akighir, who stated this during a Television interview ahead of the National Stakeholders Summit scheduled to take place in Abuja on September 14 and 15 (Monday and Tuesday) 2026, explained that the Summit is aimed at getting the input, effective participation and contribution of stakeholders from the region towards the goals and targets of the NCDC.
Akighir, a lawyer and forensic expert, said the and valuable contributions and feedback of the stakeholders at the Summit would be value added to the draft of the Road Map that is expected to guide the implementation of the Commission’s set goals, adding that the NCDC Summit is aimed at getting feedback from the people on what is expected of the Commission.
In the words of Akighir; “The summit is aimed at extracting ideas and expectations from the people in the areas of Education, agriculture, mineral resources, insecurity, roads, industrialization etc, with a view to creating and establishing a road map for the Commission for the next 20 years.
“There is already a draft of the Road Map for the Commission, but the Board and Management are desirous of having value added. The Commission wants legacy projects and legendry outcomes and not just any type of project.
“The members of the Board and management of the Commission went round the States of the North Central and beyond in order not have anybody left preparatory to ensuring a successful hosting of the Stakeholders Summit that would stand the test of time,” he said.
The NCDC Board Chairman announced that the Commission is going to take advantage of the strategic transport corridors of the North Central geopolitical zone, stressing that the Commission is already looking at how to leverage on it with a view to have the best for the people of the region.
He assured that the Commission under his chairmanship and with a very experienced Managing Director, Dr, Cyril Tsenyil, the NCDC intends to have legacy projects such as construction of railway tracts, roads, industries, agriculture, education, health institutions, etc.
The NCDC Board Chairman said that the Commission is conscious and being careful in order to ensure that there are no duplication of projects between it and the State Governments, adding that that was one of the reasons why it is organizing the Stakeholders Summit to have a collective and acceptable road map to tackle unemployment, insecurity and other challenges facing the region.
According to Akighir; “If a Governor wants a particular project executed by the Commission, the proposal is usually submitted to the Board for consideration, approval and execution.
“Projects by the NCDC are carried out evenly across the states of the North-Central geopolitical zone, Before a project is executed, preliminary studies are carried out to ensure that it meets the needs of the people and most especially, we ensure that it is not conflicting with the State Government goals and interest of the people,” he said.
Akighir noted that the North Central geopolitical zone is a reservoir of enormous mineral deposit which are good revenue earnings for the region, stressing that the Commission intends to leverage on the opportunities.
He also said that the Board and Management of the Commission is looking outside the box to raise more funds, adding that it has already entered into several engagements and collaborations with different bodies and organisations towards achieving the plan, adding that the six States and the FCT that made up the Commission are expected to make contributions towards its funding.
