The Youth Alliance for Sustainable Development (YASD), made up of youth groups from seven states in the North-West, has called for transparency, accountability and fairness in the administration of the North-West Development Commission.

The group’s spokesman, Ahmed Sambo, made the call in a statement on Monday.

Mr Sambo expressed concern over what he described as “lopsided appointments”  in the composition of management and board members of the commission in favour of Jigawa and Kano states.

“A critical look at the composition of the management and board members indicates non-adherence to due diligence,” said the group.

It added, “The composition shows that Kano and Jigawa got two key positions each while the remaining five states got one slot each.”

The group said after securing the two key positions of the commission, Kano and Jigawa states also benefited from board representation, arguing that the appointments appeared one-sided.

It also faulted siting the commission’s headquarters in Kano, the state of the pioneer board chairman, pointing out that the commission was established in response to the yearnings and aspirations of the seven states in the region.

“Some of the cardinal objectives of the commission are reintegration and resettlement of displaced persons, restoration of economic activities halted by insurgency as well as improving infrastructural investments.

“However, the lopsided appointments could be detrimental to achieving these objectives, and the mission may likely be jeopardised due to personal interest,” said the group.

He alleged that certain individuals behind the lopsided appointments want to capitalise on the commission to propel their gubernatorial ambitions in Kano and Kaduna states, respectively.

(NAN)