NCDC Puts Energy, Infrastructure at Heart of North Central Development Plan

By Victor Idajili

The North Central Development Commission has placed energy and strategic infrastructure at the centre of its plan to unlock the region's economic potential in the next 20 years.

This was the key outcome of the maiden North Central Stakeholders Development Summit held in Abuja, with the theme, "The Great Leap Forward: A 20-Year Economic, Infrastructural and Social Development Plan for the North Central Region."

At the end of the summit, stakeholders adopted a seven-point communique covering economic development, infrastructure, social development, security, climate and environment, digital economy and sustainable financing. It was read by the Executive Director, Finance and Chairman of the Technical Committee, Prof. Muhammad Bashar Nuhu.

Participants said while the North Central has huge natural and human resources in agriculture, minerals, energy and water, they have not translated into higher productivity, jobs and better living standards due to weak infrastructure and low investment.

To address this, they called for a GIS-enabled regional economic database to map minerals, land, farms, water resources, infrastructure gaps and investment opportunities to guide planning. They also recommended an integrated infrastructure programme to link the six states and the FCT through roads, rail, inland waterways and modern logistics, with priority given to corridors that can unlock agricultural production, mining, industrial activity and trade. The Abuja-Lokoja Road was singled out for urgent intervention, while they called for feasibility studies for regional rail lines, Baro inland port logistics, dry ports and freight systems to connect production centres to markets.

On agriculture, the summit called for state-specific value chains covering inputs, mechanisation, irrigation, storage, processing, packaging, branding and export, with bankable quick-win projects that can attract private and development finance.

Participants also raised concerns over climate and environmental risks and proposed a North Central Climate and Disaster Resilience Programme to map flood, erosion, drought and mining hazards, with early warning systems and evacuation plans. They recommended desilting, drainage clearing, protection of waterways, erosion control and assessment of dam and reservoir solutions, as well as enforcement against building on flood plains to protect roads, energy assets and communities.

For the digital economy, the summit urged NCDC to expand broadband access across states, local governments and rural communities, and to set up AI, digital skills and teacher-training centres, starting with computer-enabled facilities in primary schools.

On funding, stakeholders agreed that government alone cannot finance the development needed and recommended matching projects to appropriate financing - commercial projects for private investment, high-impact but low-return projects for blended finance, and essential social services for public funding.

Meanwhile, NCDC signed Memoranda of Understanding with NIRSAL and SMEDAN to boost agriculture, entrepreneurship and enterprise development in the region. The MoUs followed months of engagements. NCDC Managing Director, Dr. Cyril Yiltsen Tsenyil, NIRSAL Executive Director, Ewaen Imohe, and SMEDAN Director-General, Charles Odii, pledged to work together to improve productivity and investment, while NCDC Board Chairman, Barr. Cosmas Akighir, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Regional Development, Dr. Mary Ogbe, pledged support and oversight.

Participants further recommended formal backing for the 20-year framework and the creation of a Programme Management Office within NCDC to oversee project preparation, financing, risk management and reporting, involving states, FCT, federal agencies, local governments, traditional institutions, private sector and development partners.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Tsenyil thanked stakeholders for their contributions, saying it would shape the Commission's performance, while Chairman of the Central Steering Committee, Alh. Suleiman Baba Ali, commended participants and thanked President Bola Tinubu and other guests for their support.