By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Federal Government has constituted 26 Technical Working Groups (TWGs) to commence preparatory work on the new National Development Plans with a view to mapping out the strategic themes for the development of credible plans.
Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba disclosed this while declaring open a 3-day Capacity Building Workshop for Anchors and Secretariat Heads of the Technical Working Groups for the National Development Plans on Tusday in Abuja.
The Minister explained that the new plans being articulated are expected to address developmental challenges in all aspects of the country’s national life within the agreed timeframe.
According to him, “the planning process is also inclusive and participatory with the full involvement of the Sub-National governments (States and Local Governments), the Organized Private Sector, the major political parties, the National Assembly, youth and women organizations, the physically challenged, and other relevant stakeholders”.
He noted that “This way, we would have a truly Nigerian National Development Plan and not a federal government plan”.
The Minister pointed out that in order to have a very robust outcome in formulating the Plan “it was thought wise to build the capacity of the major drivers of the process as the roles of the TWGs Anchors and Heads of Secretariat are critical towards the development of the plans, especially in liaising with other stakeholders such as coordinators and deputy coordinators drawn from state and non-state actors.”
The noted that the history of development planning in Nigeria showed a general lack of coordination and harmonization of programmes/policies “which has also not benefited from a bottom-up approach with negatively effects on implementation”.
“As a responsible government desirous of changing the fortune of Nigerians and the future of generations yet unborn, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari desires that we periodically draw comprehensive plans through which the welfare of citizens can be enhanced economically, socially and politically among others”, he added.
Agba expressed satisfaction at the various topics selected for workshop which included, the History and trajectory of development planning in Nigeria; development planning process, Institutional Arrangements for Effective Plan Implementation, Understanding the Macroeconomic Framework for the MTNDP 2021-2025, MTNDP 2026-2030 and National Agenda 2050, Institutional Arrangements for Effective Plan Implementation.
He said, “As a proud LEAN Six Sigma practitioner, I am particularly impressed with the increasing desire for efficiency, quality, and systems improvements, and with the inclusion of the Lean Six Sigma for progressive governances s part of this capacity building programme, and with the seasoned resource persons, I am convinced that this training programme will also impact greatly on the participants and their eventual inputs into the development of the National Plans for our nation”.
The Minister commended Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) of Germany co-organizers its Nigerian Country Representative, Dr. Vladimir Kreck for their continuous support to the Ministry and especially in organizing and funding this capacity building programme.
He recalled that just recently, KAS partnered with the Ministry in organizing a similar capacity building programme for Special Advisers of the Ministers stressing that the training was timely and very impactful as attested to by the participants.
Earlier, KAS Country Representative said the organization decided to support Nigeria in organising the workshop given “the manifold social and economic problems Covid-19 had entailed”.
“This seminar will empower the participants to contribute efficiently and successfully to the process of creating a substantial Mid-Term National Development Plan for Nigeria”, he added.
