Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba has assured Nigerians that the newly-launched National Development Plan (NDP, 2021-2025) will transform Nigeria into a reforming and industrialising nation.
Agba, in his New Year message to Nigerians, urged them to co-operate with the Federal Government in its faithful implementation of the development plan and hope for the best in 2022.
The NDP was launched by President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday, December 22, 2021, shortly before the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting held at the State House, Abuja.
The Plan envisions Nigeria being a leading industrializing and reforming nation in Africa that will focus on building its institutional capacity and capability, as well as fostering a private sector-led growth to help address the critical issues of jobs, wealth creation, and poverty reduction.
Agba said that Nigerians would begin to see and reap the benefits of the plan, which according to him was a truly Nigerian plan.
He said Nigeria had begun the journey to realising the objectives of the all-inclusive, participatory and robust development plan, which would, among other targets, generate 21 million jobs and lift from poverty, in five years, at least 34 million Nigerians.
He restated President Buhari’s desire to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in ten years.
Agba urged that all hands must be on deck to ensure the success of the plans.
He also stated that the signing of the 2022 budget into law by President Buhari on Friday December 31, 2021 was a pointer to the Administration’s commitment to ensure National economic growth and also to stay the course of the country’s January to December annual budget calendar.
He said the Executive and the Legislative Arms of government would continue to work in synergy to achieve these through effective implementation of the budget.
Agba wished Nigerians a happy and prosperous New Year even as he prayed that the year would usher in greater peace, and ensure stability and development of the nation.
