By Palma Ileye
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning has emphasized on the importance of Joint planning and National Development Council as very essential for economic growth and sustainability of the country.
Bagudu stated this in his Opening remark during the 22nd edition of the Joint Planning Board, JPB, National Council on Development Planning, NCDP, Meetings, with the theme: “Imperatives for Restoring Nigeria on the Path of Sustainable Economic Growth and Development” held in Osogbo the Osun State Capital.
He stated that without planning, effectiveness cannot be achieved.
He commended the presence of the 30 Commissioners or State Representatives of Budget and Economic Planning who were at the meeting.
This attendance he said 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 was the significance of these institutions in promoting the importance of economic and planning Ministries.
He said that in some States, they were often not given the coordinating importance they ought to have noting that by design, planning involves the ability to contextualize and imagine where resources were, and intellectual materials can be mobilized.
“Without planning, effectiveness cannot be achieved. I would like someone to talk and expand on JPB/NCDP so that colleagues from the States can be better enriched,” the Minister added.
Continuing, he noted that examples from countries that have achieved development have shown that planning played a crucial role in their economic takeoff, giving examples, “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 was a Federation with provisions requiring Federal, State, and Local Governments to lead through planning, he stressed the constitutional provision for a Joint Planning Board between the State and Local Governments.
The Budget Minister 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.
“Most economic issues relate to planning, which is why there was a resolution 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,” he explained.
He emphasized unity, stating that diversity was not a distraction but a potential benefit.
He encouraged cooperation and recognition of common goals, likening the mindset to the creation of Trade Unions worldwide.
In conclusion, he further encouraged the Commissioners, saying, “In my humble view, we are the most important link in our Federal setting. We are the ones with constitutional responsibilities for planning in the States and coordinating such planning with the Federal Government.”