Our Oversight is to Ensure North-West Reap Maximum Benefits from the Intervention Agency ~ NWDC Sen. C’tee Chair, Babangida
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Senate Committee on North West Development Commission (NWDC) has expressed satisfaction with the commission’s performance and accountability measures following an oversight briefing on its activities, finances, procurement processes, and governance structure, pledging sustained legislative oversight to ensure the people of the North-West reap maximum benefits from the intervention agency.
The assurance was given by Senator Babangida Hussaini, Chairman of the Senate Committee on North West Development Commission while briefing journalists after the committee’s engagement with the management of the commission.
According to Senator Hussaini, the meeting was convened to enable members of the committee assess the milestones recorded by the commission since it commenced operations and to evaluate its compliance with financial and administrative procedures.
“The intention of the meeting was to receive a briefing from the commission on the milestones they have covered, especially since they have started some limited operations,” he said.
He explained that the committee’s oversight responsibilities required it to scrutinize the commission’s financial management, utilization of funds already released by the Federal Government, procurement processes, governance framework, and operational procedures.
“In specific terms, we looked at their finances because it is an oversight function. We are following the money to ensure that the funds released are judiciously applied. We also examined their procurement processes, the governance system in place, and the procedures leading to procurement.
“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,” the senator stated.
On the reported misunderstanding between the Managing Director of the commission and the Chairman of its Governing Board, Senator Hussaini said the committee had already intervened to resolve the issue, describing the disagreement as a normal occurrence in institutional relationships.
“Yes, we have intervened. It is always normal in any relationship to have slight hitches. These are routine matters that happen from time to time, and we have used the opportunity of this meeting to sort out and settle the differences,” he said.
Responding to concerns raised over the Managing Director’s air travel expenses for an official visit to the Governor of Kano State, the committee chairman clarified that the commission was at the time operating temporarily from Abuja because it had not relocated to its permanent headquarters in Kano.
“The explanation was that they were still based in Abuja because they had not relocated to Kano. They only took over their office in Kano a few days ago after the facility was completed and handed over. Therefore, the official trip from Abuja was necessary under the circumstances,” Hussaini explained.
He reiterated the Senate Committee’s commitment to sustained oversight of the commission, stressing that transparency, accountability, and prudent management of public resources would remain central to ensuring the North West Development Commission effectively delivers on its mandate of accelerating development across the region.
