By Chioma Obinna

The Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs on Thursday convened a high-level stakeholders’ interactive forum in Abuja as part of efforts to promote transparency, accountability, efficiency and timeliness in the implementation of the N4.7 trillion zonal intervention and constituency projects contained in the 2025 budget.
The gathering brought together dignitaries from the National Assembly, the diplomatic community and various ministries, departments and agencies to review existing challenges and agree on measures to strengthen delivery of development projects in rural communities.
In a keynote address, the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Zephaniah Jisalo, disclosed that the ministry had verified and certified 110 zonal intervention and constituency projects across the six geopolitical zones in the third quarter of the year.
Represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Onwusoro Maduka, the minister said the renewed push aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive on community involvement.
“We will strengthen our engagement with beneficiary communities to ensure they take full ownership of these projects,” Jisalo said. “These include school renovations, boreholes, agricultural empowerment programmes, medical outreaches and street-light installations.”
The minister cautioned MDAs against ignoring provisions of extant circulars issued in September 2023, stressing that defaulters would face prosecution by the EFCC, ICPC and other anti-graft agencies. “President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has ushered in a paradigm shift from old practices, and all MDAs must align with this new direction,” he said.
Speaking, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, praised the ministry for organising the forum and working to foster improved cooperation between MDAs and the National Assembly.
“We are partners in progress,” Abbas said. “Our shared objective is to ensure that infrastructural facilities and social amenities are adequately provided in rural communities to improve the lives of the people.”
Guest speaker and Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies at the University of Abuja, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Bashir, presented a paper examining the impacts of constituency projects and their alignment with the administration’s development priorities.
He noted that economic reforms, infrastructural transformation, enhanced security, job creation, SME growth and improved educational standards form key pillars of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
A communiqué is expected at the conclusion of the stakeholders’ forum, which continued through Thursday in Abuja.