The outgoing Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba has opined that rural development is key to solving rural urban migration thereby curbing the surge of insecurity in the country.
He made this known during an end of tenure media Press Briefing held on this week in the conference hall of the Ministry. He explained that the menace of rural migration to urban cities creating slums in outskirts of urban areas would be limited if the government provides key infrastructures like the Health, Sanitation, Water and transportation to rural dwellers.
He continued that as a Co-Chairman of Open Government Partnership (OGP) a lot has been achieved based on the commitments and principles which include improved Budgetary process in the Country, the Minister said, during his speech upon assumption of office, one of his promises was prompt delivery of the Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly and transparency in procurement processes, he informed that this is a feat he has achieved and maintained consecutively for three and a half years, 2023 inclusive.
He went further to reveal that the OGP is gradually transforming the governance ecosystem in Nigeria, bringing to light several awards and global recognition it has attained such as the Global Recognition for beneficial ownership award in Seoul among others.
Agba also talked about the EYEMARK, a web application that enables citizens and Nigerians in diaspora to monitor and track capital projects and report accordingly to government, he urged the media to bring this application to the knowledge of citizens as they use it.
Among other major achievements listed by the Minister under his watch include the recent launch of the Nigeria Agenda 2050 which gave the directions for government policies, he said a framework was developed for National Monetary and Evaluation Policy, bringing it to the fore as a core function of the Ministry.
During the interactive section, the Minister talked about the projects being interrelated, saying the Integrated National Plan Development (2021-2025) is key and the incoming Government should pay close attention to it.
The Director of Information, Folasade Boriowo, during the vote of thanks extolled the Minister for his selflessness in service delivery, she wished him well in his future endeavors and appreciated the media for their contributions so far.
