FG to harmonise regional devt. commissions’ laws to boost efficiency

The Federal Government is collaborating with the National Assembly to harmonise laws establishing regional development commissions to improve coordination and operational efficiency.

The Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Ahmadu, disclosed this in an  interview with newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.

Ahmadu said the initiative was aimed at reducing areas of friction, improving collaboration and making the commissions more effective in delivering their mandates.

He explained that although the commissions shared the broad objective of development, their establishing laws differed because of the peculiar circumstances and needs of their respective regions.

According to him, the ministry is working towards amendments that will bring the laws closer together while retaining provisions necessary to address the distinct challenges of each region.

“The commissions are distinct in various respects. The laws setting them up are also not exactly the same,” he said.

Ahmadu said the ministry was collaborating with the National Assembly, which has the constitutional responsibility of making laws, to address the differences.

He added that the proposed harmonisation would strengthen coordination and reduce potential conflicts among the commissions.

The minister said the ministry was also developing a policy framework to guide regional development activities.

He explained that the policy document had been taken across the country to obtain contributions from Nigerians and stakeholders in the different regions.

According to him, the document has been presented to the National Economic Council and is awaiting approval by the Federal Executive Council.

Ahmadu said the ministry’s overall responsibility was to coordinate the commissions and ensure that development interventions addressed the needs of the people.