The Citizens Democratic Alliance (CDA) has expressed concern over the bill currently before the House of Representatives seeking to establish a National Rural Infrastructure Commission, describing the proposal as inconsistent with the principles of federalism and likely to further concentrate powers at the federal level.
While the CDA acknowledges the reported intention behind the bill, to accelerate development in rural communities, we believe that rural development must be pursued within the framework of Nigeria’s constitutional federal structure.
Rural roads, markets, water supply, primary healthcare facilities, and many other local infrastructure projects are primarily the responsibility of state and local governments. Creating another federal commission to perform these functions would only increase bureaucracy, create overlapping mandates, and impose additional administrative costs without addressing the underlying governance challenges.
If the objective is to improve rural infrastructure, the more sustainable solution lies in strengthening the federating units rather than expanding federal institutions.
Accordingly, the Citizens Democratic Alliance advocates the following reforms:
1. Devolve greater responsibility for rural infrastructure development to state and local governments.
2. Reform Nigeria’s fiscal federalism to enable states to retain more revenue and finance local development effectively.
3. Strengthen accountability, transparency, and capacity within local government administration.
4. Limit the role of the Federal Government to setting national standards, providing equalisation grants where necessary, and funding infrastructure projects of genuine national importance.
The CDA believes that Nigeria does not need another federal commission. What the country needs is a more functional federal system that empowers states and local governments to discharge their constitutional responsibilities efficiently and accountably.
CDA – Let’s Work To Make Nigeria Work!
Signed:
Citizen Umar Abdulrazaq
National Publicity Secretary
Citizens Democratic Alliance
