MINISTRY OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT SAYS NATIONAL REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY WILL TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION PECULIARITIES OF EVERY GEOPOLITICAL ZONE
BY GABRIEL OKECHUKWU
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Regional Development, Dr. Mary Ogbe says the creation of Regional Development Commissions is aimed at taking Development to Rural areas.
Dr. Ogbe who made this known at Regional Technical Validation Workshop on National Regional Development policy, Twenty- twenty-six to twenty-thirty in Port Harcourt Rivers State, noted that the workshop was being held in different geopolitical zones to get the contributions of stakeholders to arrive at a workable policy on regional Development.
Over the years, fragmentation of development plans across the regions have been instrumental to disparities in the development of different geopolitical zones across the country.
In this regard, the Validation Workshop on National Regional Development Policy seeks to bridge the gap and integrate the regions into a unified developmental framework in line with sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, African Union and ECOWAS Regional Development Agenda.
Speaking at the event,
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Regional Development, Dr. Mary Ogbe who explained that it was necessary to have the buy-in of different geopolitical zones before concluding on a developmental policy framework for the the regions, expressed optimism that other funding sources would form part of the plans to guarantee implementation.
The permanent Secretary stated that the developmental plan would provide a veritable platform for different Regional Development Commissions to pick from the general master plan as it affects each region.
In a welcome address, Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku who described Planning as the road map to achieving development, emphasized the need for timelines to make the plans a reality.
The NDDC MD applauded the ministry for taking the bold step to organize the validation workshop, saying it was a demonstration of leadership.
In a remark, United Nations Development Programe,
UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Elsie Attafuah, represented by Team Lead, Governance, Peace and Security Unit, Mr. Mathew Alao
said the workshop was necessary to have a coordinated development framework for the Nation.
She gave assurance that UNDP was ready to bring technical and financial assistance that would enable the regions achieve their development goals.
The UNDP Resident Representative noted that thriving economies globally were those who were deliberate about developmental plans to foster economic growth.
While observing that fragmentation of developmental plans limited Nigeria’s competitiveness at the global stage, Attafuah noted that the nation performed better under regional economic plans, in time past.
The UNDP official commended NDDC for the achievements recorded by the present leadership and asked the commission to assist South South Development Commission to grow.
At the end of the validation workshop across the zones, the policy framework is expected to be presented to Federal Executive Council FEC for approval before implementation.
