The Senate Committee on the North Central Development Commission has urged the NCDC to prioritise agriculture, mining, security and rural infrastructure to accelerate development across the region.
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| Members of the Senate Committee on the North Central Development Commission during a legislative engagement in Abuja. |
ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Senate Committee on the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) has charged the newly established commission to prioritise agriculture, mining, security and rural infrastructure as key sectors for accelerating economic recovery and improving living standards across the region.
The committee said the commission should focus its interventions on areas where the North Central has significant economic potential while complementing ongoing development efforts by the Federal Government and the states.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Titus Zam, said agriculture, mining, security and rural infrastructure should form the foundation of the commission's development strategy.
We have advised the commission to concentrate heavily on agriculture, mining, security, and rural infrastructure to deliver maximum impact for our people, Zam said.
The North Central region comprises Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The region is widely recognised for its agricultural production, mineral resources and strategic location within Nigeria.
The committee noted that the North Central has vast areas of arable land, favourable rainfall patterns and vegetation suitable for the cultivation of a wide range of crops.
Agriculture remains a major source of employment and income for millions of residents across the region, with many rural communities depending on farming for their livelihoods.
Senator Zam said the NCDC should support programmes capable of improving agricultural productivity, strengthening rural economies and expanding access to markets.
Potential interventions could include improved rural roads, irrigation facilities, agricultural processing centres, storage infrastructure and support for smallholder farmers.
The committee believes that increased investment in agriculture could help improve food security, create jobs and stimulate economic activities across the North Central.
However, agricultural development in several parts of the region continues to be affected by insecurity, poor road networks, limited access to modern farm inputs and post-harvest losses.
The Senate Committee also identified mining as a sector with significant potential to support economic growth and create employment.
Several states in the North Central have deposits of valuable solid minerals, but stakeholders have repeatedly raised concerns about illegal mining, environmental degradation and limited local processing.
The committee urged the NCDC to support sustainable and responsible mining practices that would benefit host communities and contribute to regional development.
It also encouraged the commission to promote investment in mineral exploration, processing and value addition rather than focusing only on the extraction and movement of raw materials.
The development of mining-related skills and local industries could create employment opportunities, particularly for young people, while expanding economic activities in mineral-producing communities.
The committee stressed that insecurity must be addressed if development programmes are to achieve meaningful and lasting results.
Several communities across the North Central continue to face challenges linked to armed attacks, banditry, kidnapping, communal conflicts and threats to farming activities.
The Senate Committee urged the NCDC to work closely with security agencies, state governments, traditional institutions and local communities to support efforts aimed at improving safety.
While the commission is not expected to replace the responsibilities of security agencies, it may support development initiatives that strengthen community resilience and address some of the conditions contributing to insecurity.
The committee said improved security would help farmers return safely to their lands, encourage private investment and allow development projects to reach vulnerable communities.
The committee also identified rural infrastructure as a critical area for intervention.
Poor road networks, limited access to electricity, inadequate water supply and weak public facilities continue to affect many rural communities across the region.
Improved infrastructure could help farmers transport produce to markets, reduce post-harvest losses and improve access to healthcare, education and other essential services.
The NCDC is expected to complement existing federal and state government programmes by supporting strategic projects that address development gaps across the region.
Stakeholders have urged the commission to adopt a transparent and needs-based approach to project selection, ensuring that interventions reach communities most affected by poverty, insecurity and infrastructure deficits.
The Senate Committee's recommendations have increased public expectations that the commission will deliver practical and measurable development outcomes across the North Central.
Residents and stakeholders are expected to closely monitor how the NCDC identifies projects, allocates resources and collaborates with state governments and local communities.
The committee said the commission should focus on programmes capable of creating long-term economic opportunities while improving the quality of life for people across the region.
Prime Brief Media will continue to monitor developments surrounding the North Central Development Commission and provide updates on its programmes and regional development priorities.
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