Staff Writer
Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang of Plateau State has urged the leadership of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) to prioritise sustainable development and collaborative partnerships with state governments to address key challenges facing the region.
Gyang Bere, the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the governor, in a statement on Tuesday, said Mutfwang made the call while receiving the Board and Management of the Commission on a courtesy visit at the New Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos.
The delegation, which is currently on a strategic tour of states in the North Central region, was led by the Chairman of the Board, Barrister Cosmas Akiyir, and the Managing Director of the Commission, Dr. Cyril Tsenyil, alongside other board members and management staff.
Welcoming the team, Governor Mutfwang congratulated the leadership of the Commission on their appointments and stressed the need to focus on initiatives that directly improve the lives of people across communities.
“It is about making an impact on the lives of our people in such a way that they have a better life and can prosper,” the governor said, adding that while short-term interventions may address immediate challenges, long-term policies that deliver lasting benefits must remain the priority.
Mutfwang observed that development commissions in Nigeria have historically faced challenges due to the politicisation of leadership and deviation from their core mandates.
He therefore urged the NCDC leadership to remain committed to the developmental objectives for which the Commission was established.
The governor also highlighted the severe infrastructure deficit across the North Central region, noting that Plateau State inherited several abandoned projects whose completion would require substantial financial resources.
“Governance is a continuum; it should not be about self-glorification. If we abandon projects started by previous administrations, the cost of completing them becomes enormous and the people suffer the consequences,” he said.
He further encouraged the Commission to explore regional partnerships in critical sectors such as road networks, water supply, agriculture, and storage infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses.
“In Plateau alone, we lose nearly 40 percent of our potatoes and vegetables after harvest due to inadequate storage facilities.
“Across the region, coordinated investments by the Commission in these areas can make a significant difference,” he added.
The governor also advised the Commission to maintain strong collaboration with state governments, stressing that development initiatives are more effective when aligned with existing governance structures.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the NCDC Board, Barrister Cosmas Akiyir, described the visit as an important step towards strengthening cooperation between the Commission and states in the region.
Akiyir commended Governor Mutfwang for his leadership and efforts to promote peace and unity in Plateau State.
“Your unrelenting commitment to restoring peace and order, strengthening the security architecture of the state, and fostering unity among our diverse communities is both commendable and reassuring,” he said.
He added that the governor’s approach to governance reflects sincerity of purpose and dedication to the welfare of the people.
The Board Chairman also highlighted some of the operational challenges facing the Commission since its establishment, particularly in the area of logistics and mobility.
“One of the most pressing challenges has been the lack of official vehicles, which are critical for effective mobility and coordination of our activities across the region.
“We have therefore come to respectfully appeal for Your Excellency’s support and intervention,” he said, while also requesting the governor’s assistance in providing infrastructure for a proposed NCDC zonal office in Plateau State.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the Commission, Dr. Cyril Tsenyil, explained that the visit formed part of the Commission’s strategic tour of the North Central states aimed at aligning its programs with the development priorities of the region.
“Our mandate is to conceive, plan, and implement projects and programs for the sustainable development of the North Central region in areas such as transportation, healthcare, education, water supply, electricity, and telecommunications,” he said.
Tsenyil added that the Commission has already begun laying the institutional foundation for its operations through policy engagement and consultations with key stakeholders.
