The leader of Russia's North Caucasus republic of Ingushetia invited local elders on Wednesday to help a local government commission control spending.

Ingush President Yunus-Bek Yevkurov returned to the republic, one of Russia's poorest regions and situated in the mainly Muslim North Caucasus, in August 2009 after being treated in Moscow for extensive injuries he sustained during a suicide car bomb attack on his motorcade in June.

"It is necessary to set up a special commission in the republic's government where elders could have representation so that money on various programs would be spent with utmost efficiency and transparency," Yevkurov said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

He expressed doubt that any large investment would be made in his republic before stability is regained.

"We first have to become stable, settle down and stop what is happening in the republic. Until we stop it, we will not be able to talk about any large investments," the Ingush president said.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has recently appointed ex-Krasnoyarsk governor and former business executive Alexander Khloponin as deputy prime minister and presidential envoy to the volatile North Caucasus. Analysts describe Khloponin as a "crisis manager" for the region.

Medvedev said he had decided to join the North Caucasus provinces of Chechnya, Ingushetia, North Ossetia, Dagestan, Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachai-Circassia into a separate federal district. Parliament is still to approve the creation of the new administrative unit, which Khloponin will oversee.

Yevkurov said Khloponin, who has yet to assume full power in the region, had already provided substantial assistance in the implementation of humanitarian projects in Ingushetia.

"The money coming into the republic should not be squandered, it is necessary to achieve value and results so that we do not have such unemployment and will have more people doing business," he said.

Yevkurov also said his republic was expected to erect 29 facilities, adjust its agricultural program and organize sheep breeding farms, repair its printing and publishing company and revive a light alloy plant in 2010.

MAGAS, February 3 (RIA Novosti)