Senate Approves N140bn for North Central Projects, Demands Accountability

The Senate committee overseeing the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) has approved the agency’s 2025 budget of N140 billion, following a detailed defence by its managing director, Tsenyil Yiltsen.

Chairman of the committee, Titus Zam, confirmed the approval on Tuesday after a careful review of the commission’s proposals and presentation.

“After a thorough examination of the issues raised in the budget and the articulate presentation by the MD and his team, the committee has approved the sum of N140 billion as proposed,” Zam said.

Yiltsen explained that of the total allocation, N100 billion is earmarked for capital projects across the six states in the North Central zone and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), while N40 billion will cover recurrent expenditure, including overheads and staff salaries.

He further outlined that the capital projects are spread across eight key sectors: security, agriculture, mining, environmental management, education, health, and road construction.

“Our approach is not focused on a single project but on multiple initiatives that will benefit all the states and the FCT,” Yiltsen said, adding that the commission will conduct proper needs assessments to ensure fair distribution.

Part of the N40 billion for recurrent costs will cater for the salaries of approximately 200 newly recruited staff, pending approval by the Head of Service.

While commending the presentation, the Senate committee urged NCDC to ensure judicious use of the budget, especially the N100 billion dedicated to capital projects. The panel also called on state governments and the FCT administration to provide office space for the commission’s branches.