Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Zaphaniah Jisalo, has announced significant progress under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with 667 projects completed across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory within the past year.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, Jisalo detailed the ministry’s achievements, including the construction of boreholes, roads, maternity and healthcare centers, and clinics, primarily benefiting rural communities.
“Let me assure you that with the Renewed Hope Agenda, many projects are being executed for the benefit of Nigerians,” Jisalo stated.
He explained that the Zonal Intervention Fund, which allocates ₦100 billion annually, is used for constituency projects overseen by National Assembly members under the supervision of the Ministry of Special Duties.
“The president has directed that, before any payment is made, we should go and see the project, assess it to justify the release of the funds to any contractor handling any project. It is not the National Assembly members that are directly handling the projects themselves; it’s under the supervision of the ministry, and we have been able to achieve tremendously in our duties,” Jisalo added, emphasizing the strong collaboration between the National Assembly and the Ministry of Special Duties.
Jisalo assured that more projects are slated for completion before the year’s end under the Renewed Hope Agenda initiative. He also urged Nigerian youth to reconsider participating in the planned protest on August 1, warning that it could exacerbate hunger and lead to property destruction.
He emphasized President Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare and economic prosperity of Nigerians.
Jisalo also took the opportunity to clarify the broader responsibilities of his ministry beyond monitoring constituency projects.
“I have decided to have this interactive session because I noticed that Nigerians don’t even know the responsibility of the ministry. I want to bring it to the notice of Nigerians that the Special Duties Office is an extension of the presidency because every report of ministries goes through it to the president,” he explained.