Chisom Ojukwu
Over the years, Nigeria has established several regional and zonal development agencies aimed at driving balanced growth and addressing long-standing inequalities across different parts of the country. From the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), the South-East Development Commission (SEDC), and the River Basin Development Authorities, these bodies were created with noble intentions: to bring development closer to the people and stimulate regional transformation.
Yet, decades later, many of these regions still struggle with poor infrastructure, abandoned projects, and underdevelopment, despite the billions of naira allocated annually to these commissions. The recurring question, therefore, is: Why are the outcomes so poor despite the similarities in their mandates and objectives?