5th July, 2018
The Federal Character Commission says it is building a comprehensive national data base of projects, to enable it track and monitor the distribution of socio-economic projects across the country.
Acting Executive Chairman of the Commission, Dr Shettima Bukar-Abba made the disclosure on Thursday in Kaduna at a workshop.
The workshop was organised to sensitise stakeholders in the North West on the mandate of the commission in tracking the provision of socio-economic and infrastructure facilities to Nigerians.
“A comprehensive data base will enable us to advise federal, state and local governments on strategic spending priorities and equitable distribution of projects.
“Projects and programmes output will be monitored and evaluated to ascertain if they meet national priorities, test of geographical spread and their impact on the welfare of Nigerians,’’ he said.
According to him, the commission is also designing an implementation structure and developing its human capacity to effectively track and ensure fair and equitable distribution of social services, economic amenities and infrastructure.
The acting executive chairman added that the commission is working to determine projects spread, so as to advise all levels of government on spending priorities and equitable distribution of infrastructural facilities.
Bukar-Abba stressed that building an enduring nation lies largely in observing the principle of equity, fairness and social justice.
He therefore solicited the assistance of government agencies, development partners; public and private organisations to enable the commission succeed in its core mandates.
He assured that the commission was “watching closely on states and regions that might have been short-changed with the review to remedy in subsequent budgets.’’
He added: “The proportionate sharing of the national resources is what we expect states to follow. Even for political expediency, no state government will concentrate projects in one Senatorial zone.
“And with principle of fairness, justice and equity, it is a moral justification for states to spread their resources.’’
In a message to the event, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha commended the commission for creating awareness on its mandate.
He said that the Federal Government would remain committed to the principle of federal character to ensure justice, equity and fairness.
The SGF said that the government has embarked on massive infrastructure development including the provision of electricity, rail and road networks across all sections of the country.
He also said that the government would commit N25.1 billion in 2018 to promote and develop value chain across 30 different commodities “`thus boosting linkages between agriculture, trade, export and investment.’’
The SGF, who was represented by a director in his office, Garba Mamman, said the government would fence all the 104 Unity Colleges, provide solar street lights, boreholes and CCTV cameras for enhanced security.
Mustapha disclosed that the administration has set up a Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund “to address critical infrastructure deficit especially in roads and power across the country.’’
The SGF said that the fund, managed by the Sovereign Wealth Investment Authority, would ensure prompt and timely execution of projects.
He assured that the federal government would bring to an end the recurring cases of banditry across states in the country to ensure peace and development.
The commission was established in 1996 to ensure fair and equitable distribution of public service posts among indigene of the various states.
It is also mandated to ensure fair and equitable distribution of social services, economic amenities and infrastructure among the federating units in the country.