As Nigeria grapples with limited resources for regional development, Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh has called for a strategic approach to project execution, emphasizing impact over regional interests.
Speaking at a budget defence session, Momoh addressed concerns about alleged biases in project allocations and outlined the ministry’s challenges in balancing equity with efficiency.
Critics have pointed to a perceived concentration of projects in Edo State under the ministry’s budget, but Momoh dismissed these claims as “observations” rather than factual allegations.
“Projects are distributed based on priorities and available resources, not favoritism. It’s about completing impactful projects that can deliver tangible benefits to Nigerians,” he clarified.
This defence comes amid heightened scrutiny of the ministry’s operations, given its expanded mandate beyond the former Ministry of Niger Delta.
Despite the broader scope, funding levels remain largely unchanged, constraining the ministry’s ability to address pressing regional needs.
Momoh highlighted a systemic issue in Nigeria’s project funding model: the tendency to initiate numerous projects with inadequate funding.
This practice, he explained, leads to stagnation, cost escalation, and wasted resources. “We’ve seen projects that could have been completed with ₦5 billion years ago now requiring over ₦90 billion due to delays. This is unsustainable,” he said.
To counter this, the minister proposed prioritizing fewer, high-impact projects to ensure timely completion and lasting value. “Strategic planning and efficient resource allocation must guide our development efforts. Spreading resources too thin only hampers progress,” Momoh emphasized.
Responding to misconceptions about his ministry’s relationship with development commissions, Momoh clarified that while the ministry supervises their activities, financial management remains the commissions’ responsibility. “Our role is to ensure compliance and efficiency, not to control their funds,” he noted.
This distinction is critical as the ministry faces growing expectations to streamline operations and ensure accountability across development agencies.
Amid these challenges, Momoh urged stakeholders to adopt a unified perspective that prioritizes national progress over regional politics. “Nigeria’s development must transcend regional interests. We need patience, collaboration, and support to achieve equitable growth across all regions,” he appealed.
The minister’s stance is a shift toward a more pragmatic and strategic approach to development, focusing on delivering results rather than spreading resources across competing regional demands.