By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
Vice-president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has called for a synergy among Commissioners for an effective and workable national sustainable economic development.
Osinbajo at the closing ceremony of the the 21st JPB/NCDP event held at Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, on Friday who made this call at that the Joint Planning Board and National Council on Development Planning’s (JPB/NCDP’s) annual event said the meeting is key to boosting cooperation between States and the Federal Government as well as providing a better coordination of economic policies for poverty reduction and sustainable development.
He stressed that the need for synergy among all tiers of government remained paramount ”at this critical time when we continue to face the challenges of recovery from the onslaught of the Covid-19 now compounded by the ongoing Russia-Ukarine war.”
The Vice President further noted that the Council had remained a very important platform for setting the tone of national economic discourses, adding that ‘it provides a good opportunity for Federal and State Governments to maintain their active collaboration for the well being of their people.
He commended the effort of stakeholders from the private sector and civil servants in articulating the National Development Plan, NDP, 2021-2025.
He stated that the strategic objectives of the NDP included establishing a strong foundation for a diversified economy, investing in critical infrastructure, enabling human capital development and improving governance, and strengthening security which would certainly contribute to achieving national development aspirations.
Osinbajo disclosed that the outcomes of poor governance includes ineffective delivery of public goods such as collection of taxes, or delivery of social investment programme, public education, health services, and delivery of performance, among others.
He said, ’’Any country that makes dishonesty, lack of transparency, bureaucratic corruption the norm has chosen backwardness and poverty of the majority of its citizens.”
Addressing the Commissioners, Minister of State Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, appreciated the delegates and stressed that the theme of this year’s conference, “Good Governance and Institutional Capacity: Pathways to Sustainable National Development” was a reflection of the current efforts of the Federal Government in ensuring the effective implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2021 – 2025.
Agba stated that the conceptualization and effectiveness of good governance for sustainable development particularly in the context of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs had come into focus in recent years.
He added that recognizing the role of the government in the management of the economy and the joint participation of state and non-state actors, civil society and the private sector was essential in the process of public governance.
Agba said ‘’Emerging trends point to good governance as a panacea towards accelerated development in economic, political and social sectors of nations making it imperative for any country wishing to realize, promote or maintain economic, political and social strides to strive to embrace good governance. Efficient political and economic strands promote social order.”
He stressed the need for achieving good governance, as well as, institutional capacity as very important objectives of the National Development Plan (NDP), launched by President Muhammadu Buhari is a holistic plan for the Nigerian economy particularly in the era of the COVID-19 challenges the president’s vision to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years remains an achievable dream.
He said, ‘’I have always posited that good governance lies in the mindset of people. As long as the people do not remain a stumbling block to the ease of doing business, the people of Nigeria will reap a lot of benefits from the National Development Plan 2021 – 2025.”
“We must remove all encumbrances to doing business, the biggest of which is the human factor linked to an unacceptable attitudinal disposition and the lack of a sense of urgency.”
In overcoming these impediments to national development, the plan has a volume which captures the binding constraints and legislative imperatives for the ease of doing business’’ the minister explained.
Prince Agba assured that the outcome of the meeting would be taken into action, also acknowledged that the success of the 21st JPB/NCDP event was as the efforts of the Permanent Secretary and other stakeholders in the ministry.
