FG Restates Commitment To Producing Inclusive National Development Plans

The Federal Government has restated its commitment to producing truly Nigerian National Development plans that will deepen citizens’ engagement, participation and ownership.

This was reaffirmed at the inaugural meeting of the National Steering Committee (NSC) for the preparation of the Medium-Term National Development Plans (MTNDP) 2021-2025 & 2026-2030 and Agenda 2050, in Abuja.

The National Steering Committee is co-chaired by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning Dr (Mrs) Zainab Ahmed, representing the public sector; and, Mr Atedo Peterside, representing the private sector.

The Committee has the mandate to oversee the governance structure comprising the Central Working Group (CWG) and other 26 Technical Working Groups (TWGs) as well as supervising the execution of key deliverables, including recommending measures that would ensure the continuous implementation of the plans beyond tenures of successive governments.

In her remarks, Mrs. Ahmed said Nigeria was witnessing the beginning of genuine effort by government to chart a new cause for another Nigerian National Development Plan that would better the lives of its citizens. 

“We must therefore, give hope to great citizens of this country with the quality of plans we’re coming up with,” she stressed.

Briefing the Committee earlier, on steps taken so far on the development of the new plan, the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, said significant progress had been made. 

“We have inaugurated a key Technical Working Group (Macroeconomic Framework and Growth Group) which will provide guidance to the work of the other 25 Technical Working Groups,” he said.

He reassured Nigerians that “We are committed to producing truly Nigerian National Development plans and, at the moment, we are in the process of engaging the grassroots through States and Local Governments in the planning process, which will take place through town hall meetings, where memoranda from  Town development Associations and Traditional Rulers will be received.’’

Also speaking, the co-chair, Mr. Atedo Peterside, urged Nigerians not to lose faith in government’s efforts to produce National Development Plans as this might be the last straw that would “break  the camel’s back” to place Nigeria among the top twenty economies of the world.