Gov Mutfwang advises NCDC on infrastructural development

The Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has advised members of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) to put politics aside and focus on things that will bring development to the region, stating that the zone has a lot of infrastructure that needs attention.

This comes as Dr. Cyril Tsenyil, managing director and Chief Executive of the NCDC, called for a strong partnership to expedite infrastructure and socioeconomic development in the region.

Governor Mutfwang, while receiving members of the commission and its board members on Tuesday at the Little Ray Field Government House, Jos, said the North Central is one of the backward zones in the country when it comes to infrastructure and tasked the commission to look into this with the aim of changing the narrative.

According to him, in Plateau State alone, the state government will need close to N500 billion to finish all the abandoned projects inherited from the previous administrations, adding that the intervention of the NCDC in this regard will be welcomed.

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He implored government at different levels to evolve the policy of continuity for the benefit of the citizenry, adding that it is high time those in government realise that government is a continuous process.

“My advice is that some of you are products of politics by keeping politics aside because there are lots that needs to be done. I am sure when you assess the infrastructure begging for attention in the North Central, you will discover that for the years that you are going to operate, you will only scratch the surface.”

In his address, the managing director and chief executive officer of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC), Dr. Cyril Tsenyil, outlined the commission’s broad mandate to conceive, plan, and execute sustainable projects in Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau states, and the Federal Capital Territory. Key sectors include roads and transportation, healthcare, education, agriculture, industrialisation, housing, water supply, electricity, telecommunications, and job creation.

He emphasised that the NCDC would complement, rather than duplicate or compete with, efforts by states and local governments.

“Our role is to add value and amplify the good work already being done in the states,” he stated.

Dr. Tsenyil disclosed ongoing strategic partnerships with federal agencies such as NALDA, REA, NITDA, SMEDAN, and relevant ministries, as well as development partners including GIZ, UN-Habitat, and the European Union.

Acknowledging that government funding alone would be insufficient, he said frameworks are being prepared to attract significant private sector investment in infrastructure, agriculture, mining, regional connectivity, human capital development, peacebuilding, and security.

He urged the North Central Governors’ Forum to produce a position document outlining collective and individual state priorities to guide the commission’s focus, noting positive responses from the forum chairman during the Nasarawa visit.

“The statutory North Central Development Advisory Committee, comprising all regional governors, would serve as a key platform for ongoing engagement”, he added.