Kogi State Goverment is proposing a 10 year Development Plan aimed at ending poverty in line with the Sustainable Development Goals in the State.
To this end, Heads of Planning and Research as well as Budget Officers in MDAs met today at the Banquet Hall, Government House Lokoja to brainstorm on the plan which is expected to be completed by March next year.
Commissioner of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Asiwaju Idris in his remark said the document being worked upon will be prepared in such a way that it will be implementable.
According to the Commissioner, the era of inviting Consultant to plan for the State without inputs of relevant stakeholders is over, hence the inclusion of the Heads of Planning and Research as well as Budget Officers in the preparation stage.
He explained that the current development success story of the New Direction Administration of Governor Yahaya Bello is anchored on the bottom top Blueprint introduced upon assumption of office in 2016.
The Commissioner stated that Education which is one of the thematic areas of the present Administration has been given necessary attention with the budgetary allocation of 15%, 20% and 30% in 2020, 2021 and 2022 respectfully.
Hon. Idris maintained that over N4.2 billion Naira has been earmarked for construction of new blocks of classrooms and rehabilitation work in Secondary Schools across the State.
He noted that to move the State out of poverty in the next 10 years, more attention must be given to education as well as Agricultural research and development.
The Commissioner disclosed that a team from the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development are in the State to ascertain the actual quantity of mineral resources in the State.
The Lead Consultant of the Development Plan, Mr. Ajanaku Audu said though development plan of government fails due to instability, it is achievable if the people are carried along in the planning process as well as demonstration of Political will on the side of government.
Mr. Audu described the proposed plan as a unified document for the development of the State as Medium Term Expenditure Strategy will be adopted for effective implementation.
He added that the State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has demonstrated the Political will with the Establishment of Economic Team chaired by the Governor.
Princess Funsho Sumanu
Public Relations Officer