Minister of Regional Development Abubakar Momoh has tasked the North-Central Development Commission (NCDC) to ensure equitable distribution of projects and other interventions across the region.

Mr Momoh gave the charge on Tuesday in Lafia at a two-day policy review workshop of the NCDC, organised to review and validate the commission’s draft Development Roadmap.

He described the roadmap as a “bold statement of intent” designed to align with the president’s vision of sustainable growth, shared prosperity, and inclusive national development.

The minister said the federal government was committed to harnessing the strengths of the country’s regions to drive balanced growth and ensure that development reached every community.

“For the North-Central region, this is a moment of renewal. The region is blessed with vast agricultural potential, solid minerals, and resilient people.

“However, challenges such as insecurity, infrastructural gaps, and youth unemployment must be addressed through collaboration and effective planning,” he said.

Mr Momoh urged the commission to partner with state governments, the private sector, and development partners to tackle regional challenges, stressing that fairness, justice, and inclusivity must guide its interventions.

“The funds meant for the North-Central Development Commission are to serve the entire region. Every community must be carried along,” he said.

The minister also advised the commission to prioritise the effective implementation of its roadmap and involve all stakeholders in producing a master plan that would clearly outline strategies, funding sources, and measurable outcomes.

Declaring the workshop open, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, represented by his deputy, Emmanuel Akabe, commended the commission’s management for its proactive steps toward implementing projects.

“As a region, the North-Central is the agricultural hub of the nation, blessed with arable land and solid minerals. These endowments, if properly harnessed, can transform the region’s economy,” he said.

Mr Sule assured the commission of the Nasarawa State government’s continued support and cooperation to enable it to deliver on its mandate.

Earlier, Cosmas Akighir, chairman of the commission, said the roadmap would focus on promoting regional integration, modernising agriculture, expanding infrastructure, and addressing poverty and social inequality.

“Citizens exposed to poverty are more vulnerable than those facing other forms of insecurity. Our roadmap seeks to extricate the North-Central region from poverty and drive growth across communities,” he said.

Also speaking, Cyril Tsenyil, the managing director of the NCDC, said the workshop, supported by SPRING, provided an opportunity to review the commission’s draft policy roadmap and generate actionable strategies for inclusive and sustainable development in the North-Central region.

He explained that since the board’s inauguration in August 2025, the commission had held two board meetings, established 13 committees, and presented its 2025 budget proposal to the National Assembly for consideration.

“We are committed to laying a strong foundation through strategic partnerships, stakeholder engagement, and inclusive planning,” he added.

(NAN)