States Encouraged to Domesticate ERPG Initiatives in Planning- FG

States Encouraged to Domesticate ERPG Initiatives in Planning- FG

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Mr Olajide Samson Odewale, FCA, has reiterated the need for States to fast track developing a State focused medium term plan with reference to the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), in order to achieve significant delivery of the objectives of the plan.

The Permanent Secretary stated this on Tuesday, August 28, 2018, in his remarks at the opening of the 17th Joint Planning Board (JPB) and National Council on Development Planning (NCDP), meeting currently holding in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The theme for the 2018 JPB/NCDP meeting is ‘ Accelerating Implementation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP)’ The Role of Stakeholders’

The JPB is a consultative forum of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Budget and National Planning and the States’ Permanent Secretaries responsible for Budget and Economic Planning, as well as Special Advisers from Federal and States’ MDAs responsible for Economic Planning and Budget.

The Forum is also designed to allow participation of representatives of the organised private sector, the academia and the Development partners with a view to further economic management process at the National and sub- national level

Mr Odewale told the States that, the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, as the government agency responsible for the overall coordination and management of development plan for the country, stands ever ready to provide technical support to the States in this regard

” The ERGP was developed in response to the economic challenges at the inception of this Administration which culminated in a recession in the 2nd quarter of 2016. The plan was therefore designed , not only to get the economy out of recession, but to place it on the path of diversified, sustainable and inclusive growth, he said.

He reminded the participants that among the number of socioeconomic issues extensively discussed at the last edition of the JPB meeting, was the need for the States to develop their Medium Term Plans, in line with the ERGP priorities

Other major outcomes and resolutions arrived at to include; need for Government at the national level to accelerate the implementation of the ERGP; Governments at all levels to intensify economic diversification and revenue generating efforts; Federal and State Government’s to put in necessary policy measures to facilitate job creation; and ensure overall macroeconomic stability in the country

Accordingly, the Permanent Secretary informed the participants that most of the recommendations of the last edition of the meeting are being addressed by the MBNP, citing the ERGP Focus Labs as one of the key strategies adopted by the Federal Government aimed at generating private investment and jobs

On the 2018 JPB, Odewale explained that, ” I am optimistic that the outcome of this meeting will be tailored towards deepening the understanding and realisation of the objectives of the ERGP. In this regard, some of the key issues to note are the opportunities the ERGP provides for effective collaboration with the States and other Stakeholders who have significant roles to play in the delivery of the plan objectives”

The JPB meeting will be followed by the meeting of National Council for Development Planning (NCDP) which involves the Honourable Minister and Minister of State of Budget and National Planning and the Honourable Commissioners responsible for Economic Planning and Budget at the State level.

The recommendations from the JPB meeting are expected to feed into the meeting of the NCDP for further deliberations, ratification and adoption.

Signed

Victoria Agba-Attah