Senate Committee Approves N140bn 2025 Budget for NCDC

By Anayo Akwitti

The Senate Committee on the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) has endorsed the commission’s N140 billion 2025 budget, urging judicious utilization once approved by the Senate.

The approval followed a detailed presentation by NCDC Managing Director, Mr. Tsenyil Yiltsen, on Tuesday before the Senator Titus Zam-led committee.

Senator Zam, Committee Chairman, stated:
“After careful review of the issues in the budget and the comprehensive presentation by the MD and his team, the committee has approved the budget of N140 billion as presented by the commission.”

Yiltsen explained that N100 billion of the allocation is earmarked for capital expenditure across the six states in the zone and the Federal Capital Territory, while N40 billion is reserved for recurrent expenditure, including personnel and overhead costs.

He added that the capital expenditure fund will cover multiple projects across eight key thematic areas: security, agriculture, mining, environmental management, education, health, and road construction.

“We will conduct proper needs assessments in all states and ensure fair distribution of projects across the six states and FCT,” Yiltsen assured the committee. He also said the bulk of the recurrent funds will go toward salaries for 200 proposed staff, pending approval by the Office of the Head of Service.

While impressed by the presentation, the committee urged careful management of the N140 billion, particularly the capital expenditure, to maximize developmental impact. It also called on the governments of the six states and the FCT to provide office accommodations for the commission’s branches.