Politics

Bagudu advocates joint planning board among tiers of govt

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu on Thursday agitated for constitutional provision for a joint planning board between the state and local governments in the country for effective economic prosperity.

The minister who made the call at the closing session of the 22nd edition of the National Council on Development Planning meeting in Osogbo, Osun state, however, highlighted the importance of reflecting on the interface between commissioners of the states and heads of state’s economic planning administration and that of the national level to create a meaningful communique for the National Economic Council.

The minister thereafter remarked that Most economic issues related to planning are important and that was why it was resolved that commissioners of budget and planning should accompany governors to the monthly National Economic Council meeting.

“This would provide opportunities for joint planning board meetings or interactions with the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.”

The minister said, he had been briefed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Nebeolisa Anako, that about 30 commissioners or state representatives of Budget and Economic Planning were in Osogbo for the meeting.

“This attendance demonstrated the importance of joint planning and the National Council on Development.”
He further emphasized that following Prince Agba’s comprehensive treatise on National Development Planning, one of the most crucial issues of interest, especially for new commissioners, is the significance of these institutions in promoting the importance of economic and planning ministries.

“In some states, they are often not given the coordinating importance they ought to have. By design, planning involves the ability to contextualize and imagine where resources are, and intellectual materials can be mobilized. Without planning, effectiveness cannot be achieved.

He added, “I would like someone to talk and expand on JPB/NCDP so that colleagues from the states can be better enriched.”

He argued that, examples from countries that have achieved development have shown that planning played a crucial role in their economic takeoff.

” Ethiopia, for instance, demonstrated that careful planning can deliver prosperity, with a growth rate of about 80% for over a decade. Similarly, India, Korea, and other Asian countries have achieved success through planning.

“Given that, Nigeria is a federation with provisions requiring federal, state, and local governments to lead through planning, the constitutional provision for a joint planning board between the state and local governments is a mandatory.”

In his speech at the occasion, Osun Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke said, “As we navigate through the evolving economic landscape, it is crucial that we come together to chart a course that ensures not only growth but sustainability and inclusivity for all Nigerians.”
He however called for collaboration between states and the federal government, as the country seeks way out of the current economic realities.

Adeleke said unity would enable the country to chart a course for sustainable and inclusive growth for Nigerians.

He however stressed, “the opportunity that being the leader of the administration that would host such a gathering since the creation of the state, has provided a good platform to further strengthen Osun’s partnership with the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning which the government would leverage to engage with development partners for more benefits.

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