Budget Ministry Sets-up Committee on 23rd Annual  ICE, Senior Officials

Budget Ministry Sets-up Committee on 23rd Annual  ICE, Senior Officials

The Permanent Secretary, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Olusola Idowu, has formally inaugurated the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the hosting of the 23^rd regular Inter-Governmental Committee of Experts (ICE)  and Senior Officials meeting in Nigeria.

Idowu, while addressing the LOC said “The committee will be responsible for planning, organizing and executing all approved activities for the hosting of the  ICE, co-opt any organization(s), person(s) relevant to the successful hosting of the event and carry out any assignment as may be required towards the success  of the event”.

According to the Permanent Secretary, the ICE  is a body established by the United Nations General Assembly for West Africa. 

She informed that the committee met annually to discuss Economic and Social issues and made recommendations based on the working documents prepared by the Sub-Regional Office for West Africa (ECA/SRO-WA). 

Idowu stated that the recommendations were subsequently considered by the Annual Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

She noted that the meeting was initially scheduled  for May, 2020 but was postponed due to the  COVID-19 pandemic.

In her words, “With several meetings held between officials of the UNECA and the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, the new date for the ICE meeting will be November, 2020, depending on the COVID-19 situation” 

She charged the LOC to be committed and bring their wealth of experience to bear, towards a  successful hosting of the conference while assuring them of the Ministry’s maximum support to enable the committee succeed in the onerous task.

Responding on behalf of the Committee, a Deputy Director in the Ministry, Dr. Sanjo Faniron, said the Committee would put in its  best to ensure adequate preparation and a successful hosting of the meeting.

The last edition of the Inter-Governmental Committee of Experts and Senior Officials meeting was held in Robersfield, Republic of Liberia, in 2019.   

Victoria Agba-Attah

D(Information) BNP

14/08/2020