The speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has inaugurated the committee on the North-West Development Commission.

At the ceremony in Abuja on Wednesday, Mr Abbas tasked the committee with conducting a needs assessment for the geopolitical zone as the commission began its work.

He also directed the committee to focus on revitalising the region’s economy and addressing insecurity in the zone.

Mr Abbas noted that the region has been a hub for agricultural excellence, producing large quantities of staple crops such as millet, sorghum, and groundnuts.

He said that, with over 47 million people, the North-West region is a demographic powerhouse and a source of cultural and economic potential.

“The region has faced insecurity, environmental degradation, and neglect in the past two decades,” Mr Abbas said.

He highlighted how the textile industry in Kaduna and Kano, once employing 500,000 workers, now has fewer than 20,000 due to insecurity and policy stagnation.

“These setbacks have stunted economic growth and livelihoods, but we must see these challenges as calls to action—calls the NWDC is poised to answer,” he added.

According to him, the NWDC’s mission is of monumental importance, and Abbas stressed the need for a comprehensive needs assessment across the zone to identify priority areas for intervention.

“This assessment should lead to a robust 10-year strategic plan, outlining clear goals and actionable strategies. Such a plan will serve as a roadmap, attracting partners, mobilising resources, and ensuring accountability,” he stated.

Mr Abbas encouraged the commission to adopt a multi-stakeholder approach involving state governments, traditional institutions, civil society, and the private sector.

In his remarks, the committee chairman, Sulaiman Gumi, said the inauguration marked a significant moment for the mission of transforming the North-West.

He outlined the committee’s mandate to address all matters related to the NWDC and monitor development partners to ensure the effective transformation of the zone.

“It also involves engaging with agencies, departments, multilateral organisations, and NGOs to facilitate rehabilitation, reconstruction, and development in the North-West,” he added.

(NAN)