The Senate Committee on the North West Development Commission (NWDC) has expressed satisfaction with the commission’s performance, accountability measures and governance structure, while reaffirming its commitment to sustained legislative oversight to ensure the people of the North-West derive maximum benefits from the intervention agency.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Babangida Hussaini, gave the assurance while briefing journalists after an oversight engagement with the management of the commission at the National Assembly on Tuesday.
He said the meeting was convened to assess the commission’s achievements since it commenced operations and evaluate its compliance with financial and administrative procedures.
According to him, the committee carefully scrutinised the commission’s financial management, utilisation of funds released by the Federal Government, procurement processes, governance framework and operational procedures.
“Our intention was to receive a briefing from the commission on the milestones it has recorded since commencing limited operations. As part of our oversight responsibility, we are following the money to ensure that public funds are judiciously utilised,” Hussaini said.
He noted that the committee was satisfied with the explanations provided by the commission on its activities and pledged continued monitoring to ensure transparency, accountability and effective service delivery.
“So far, we have received satisfactory answers regarding the progress they are making, and we will continue to follow up with the commission to ensure that the North-West region derives greater benefits from its activities,” he added.
On reports of a rift between the Managing Director of the commission and the Chairman of its Governing Board, the senator disclosed that the committee had intervened and resolved the disagreement.
He described the misunderstanding as a routine institutional issue, saying such differences were not unusual in organisational relationships.
Addressing concerns over the Managing Director’s air travel expenses for an official visit to the Governor of Kano State, Hussaini explained that the commission was still operating temporarily from Abuja because it had only recently taken possession of its permanent headquarters in Kano.
He said the trip was necessary under the circumstances, noting that the commission had only moved into its Kano office after the facility was completed and handed over.
The committee chairman reiterated the Senate’s resolve to maintain close oversight of the commission, stressing that prudent management of public resources and strict accountability remain essential to enabling the NWDC deliver on its mandate of accelerating development across the North-West region.
