By Palma Ileye
In pursuit of developing a National Plan for the Nation, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has disclosed that the National Planning Act should be all-inclusive, involving the National and the Sub-Nationals.
Bagudu in a press release issued yesterday by the Ministry stated this during a meeting with the State Honourable Commissioners of Budget and Economic Planning.
He revealed that the purpose of the meeting was to brainstorm with the State Commissioners on the just concluded JPB/NCDP and NEC meetings, as well as to fashion out modalities to deepen the relationship between the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and the State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
He disclosed that there were several opportunities for States to benefit from Donor Partners through the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
He noted the need for accurate data at all levels, which he said was the bedrock for effective planning and also implored the eleven (11) States that were yet to create the State Bureau of Statistics to do so.
In his remarks the Permanent Secretary, Budget and Economic Planning, Engr. Nebeolisa Anako appreciated everyone for coming and also commended Osun State Government for hosting the 22nd edition of the JPB/NCDP meeting.
He appreciated the thirty four (34) States that were represented at the meeting, except Cross River and Nasarawa States that were absent.
Nebeolisa disclosed that the Community of Practice meeting for State Honourable Commissioners responsible for Budget and Economic Planning was no longer regular and expressed the need to hold the meeting regularly.
While suggesting that the meeting holds either a day before or a day after NEC meetings, he requested Members to suggest ways of improving the meeting.
According to the statement, the following resolutions where agreed on in the meeting; The State Hon. Commissioners should avail the Secretariat the full title, nomenclature and name of their respective Governors and Deputy Governors in order to update the Secretariat’s database, The 11 States that were yet to create the State Bureau of Statistics were requested to establish it for proper data management.
The need for States to cascade the Medium Term National Development Plan 2021 – 2025 and the Nigeria Agenda 2050 into their plans, Community of Practice meeting for State Commissioners responsible for Budget and Economic Planning to hold a day after every NEC meeting.
The Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning promised to strengthen State Ministries of Budget and Economic Planning through capacity building and funding from Donor Partners to enable them perform optimally and the need to source for fund to host the proposed meeting to discuss the presentation by the Director General, Budget Office of the Federation.