The Senate on Thursday approved the allocation of 15% from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to support newly created zonal development commissions, funded by contributions from member states.
This decision followed the Senate’s review and adoption of the Senate Committee on Special Duties’ report on the bills establishing these commissions.
During the clause-by-clause examination of the South-South Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024—serving as a structural model for other zonal commissions—debate arose regarding the funding approach.
At the heart of the debate was a recommendation from the Senate Committee on Special Duties, suggesting that 15% of statutory allocations from member states be directed toward funding these commissions.
Lawmakers including Senators Yahaya Abdullahi (PDP, Kebbi North), Wasiu Eshinlokun (APC, Lagos East), and Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West) voiced concerns.
Abdullahi warned that some state governments might legally challenge this approach, stating, “Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, the 15 per cent of statutory allocations of member states recommended for funding their zonal development commissions would be litigated against by some state governments.”
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin intervened to clarify, asserting that the proposed 15% would not result in direct deductions from state allocations.
He explained, “The 15 per cent of statutory allocation of member states, recommended for funding of zonal development commissions by the Federal Government, is not about deduction at all. Each state has a monthly statutory allocation, 15 per cent of which will be calculated by the Federal Government and removed from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for funding of their development commission.”
Despite Jibrin’s clarification, some senators remained unconvinced and sought further discussion. However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio defended the provision’s legality, referencing Section 162(4) of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the National Assembly to appropriate funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or the Federation Account.
“Fifteen per cent of the statutory allocation has been recommended by the Senate and, by extension, the National Assembly, for funding these zonal development commissions. Anyone who wishes to challenge that in court is free to do so,” Akpabio stated before calling a voice vote. The majority voted in favor of the allocation.
In his concluding remarks, Akpabio commended the senators’ commitment to establishing the zonal development commissions, underscoring their potential to support the newly established Ministry of Regional Development.
Among the bills passed were the South-South Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024, the North West Development Commission Act (Amendment) Bill 2024, and the South-East Development Commission Act (Amendment) Bill 2024.
Additionally, the South West Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024 and North Central Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024 had been approved earlier.
