FG Moves Against Project Duplication, Sets Targets For Regional Commissions
Federal Government Targets Waste and Overlap
THE Federal Government has announced a new policy framework aimed at ending project duplication, abandoned contracts, and rivalry among Nigeria’s regional development commissions, in what analysts describe as a major push for accountability in public spending.
The policy was unveiled by the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, during a management retreat in Benin City involving leaders of various regional commissions, lawmakers, and development stakeholders. He said the era of fragmented interventions and overlapping mandates must come to an end.
Performance Bonds Introduced
At the centre of the reforms is a new requirement that heads of regional commissions sign performance bonds with the ministry. These agreements are expected to contain measurable targets, timelines, and key indicators for evaluating progress.
Officials said the move is intended to shift focus from symbolic project announcements to visible delivery. New projects, the minister added, should only begin after existing ones are substantially completed and assessed for impact.
Public administration experts note that performance contracts have increasingly become tools for improving accountability, particularly in agencies handling large-scale capital projects.
Why the Reform Matters
Nigeria’s regional development commissions were established to address infrastructure deficits, poverty, environmental challenges, and economic disparities across different geopolitical zones. However, some of these bodies have faced criticism over delayed execution, poor coordination, and duplication of projects already assigned to other agencies.
Analysts say multiple commissions operating without clear boundaries can lead to wasteful spending and institutional competition rather than development synergy.
The latest directive suggests the Federal Government wants stronger alignment between the ministry and regional agencies, especially as fiscal pressures increase nationwide.
Priority Sectors Identified
According to the minister, commissions are expected to focus on areas with the highest developmental impact. These include:
- roads and transport links
- agriculture and food systems
- healthcare delivery
- digital infrastructure
- youth empowerment
- security support initiatives
He urged each region to build around its comparative economic strengths rather than pursue scattered projects without strategic coherence.
Political and Economic Implications
The expansion of regional commissions under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has generated debate over whether such bodies deepen inclusion or create more bureaucracy.
Supporters argue that geographically focused agencies can address neglected local needs faster than central ministries. Critics, however, warn that without strict oversight, they risk becoming costly parallel institutions.
This new policy appears designed to answer those criticisms by linking funding and legitimacy to measurable outcomes.
A Test of Governance Reform
Whether the new rules succeed will depend on enforcement. Analysts say many Nigerian reforms are strong on announcement but weaker on implementation.
If performance bonds are transparently monitored and duplication genuinely reduced, the commissions could become more effective tools for balanced growth. If not, the initiative may join a long list of under-enforced public sector reforms.
For now, the message from government is clear: regional development agencies must prove value, not merely exist.
