The Chairman of the Senate Committee on North West Development Commission, NWDC, Senator Babangida Hussaini, has decried the non-release of funds allocated to the commission, warning that the development has worsened insecurity, poverty and environmental degradation across the region.

Speaking during the 2026 budget defence before the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Hussaini described the North West as a very sorry story, noting that despite a N145 billion allocation in 2025 for the take-off of the commission, no funds were released.

The Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Tahir Monguno, who stood in for the Chairman, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, acknowledged the widespread complaints by ministries, departments and agencies over the non-release of the 2025 capital component.

He also criticised the current envelope-based budgeting system, describing it as a major impediment to effective national planning.

The committee assured that it would consider the submissions and challenges raised as part of its review of the 2026 budget proposals.