Minister Momoh Calls For Performance Bonds Across Regional Development Commissions At Sectoral Retreat

…As North East, South East, and North West Commissions Set to Sign Milestone Agreements

LAGOS — In a decisive move to institutionalize accountability and drive results-based regional development, the Honourable Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh FNSE, has called on all regional development commissions to sign performance bonds with the Ministry. This call came during his keynote address at a three-day Sectoral Retreat for the leadership of the Ministry and the boards and management of the regional development commissions held at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos from May 1st to 3rd, 2025.

In attendance were the Honourable Minister of State for Regional Development, Hon. Uba Maigari Ahmadu; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Atinuke Watti; as well as the Managing Directors and Chairpersons of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), North East Development Commission (NEDC), South East Development Commission (SEDC), North West Development Commission (NWDC), and other stakeholders in regional development.

Engr. Momoh emphasized that “Before the close of this retreat, the leadership of the North East, South East, and North West Development Commissions will sign performance bonds with the Ministry.” He explained that these bonds will include clearly defined benchmarks and performance indicators, enabling the Ministry to effectively monitor, evaluate, and measure outcomes across the commissions.

While the NDDC is exempted from the new signing process—having entered into a performance bond a year earlier—the Minister stressed that similar standards will now apply uniformly across all regions.

According to him, “This retreat is not just another meeting—it is a call to action. Our commissions must transition from intent to impact, guided by clear deliverables and transparent processes.”

He lamented recurring institutional challenges such as project duplication, uncompleted infrastructure, and inter-agency rivalry, noting that the retreat aims to produce a national coordination framework that harmonizes project planning, funding, implementation, and evaluation.

The Minister outlined strategic focus areas including infrastructure development, youth and women empowerment, environmental remediation, healthcare delivery, and digital connectivity—anchored within the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

“Our commissions must not only be regionally grounded but nationally aligned,” Momoh said. “The development of one region is the stability of all.”

He further underscored the need for innovation in financing mechanisms, advocating for public-private partnerships (PPPs) and diversification of funding sources amidst dwindling federal allocations. However, he was clear that “due process is non-negotiable,” calling for strict adherence to procurement standards and financial transparency.

Engr. Momoh also pledged the Ministry’s commitment to providing strategic oversight, while promoting peer review mechanisms to encourage shared learning and healthy competition among commissions.

“Let us leave this retreat with a shared determination to deliver the future our people deserve—one marked by transformation, resilience, and prosperity,” he concluded.

The retreat continues with technical sessions and presentations expected to generate a unified development blueprint for the commissions.

Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah is the media aide to the Hon Minister of Regional Development