SAN FRANCISCO, September 09, (THEWILL) – President Buhari on Wednesday inaugurated the National Steering Committee for the development of the Nigeria Agenda 2050 and the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP).
The National Steering Committee for the development of Successor Plans to Vision 20:2020 and ERGP will be jointly chaired by Atedo Peterside and the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed.
The Committee drew membership from different stakeholders including representatives of opposition political parties, private sector, women and youth bodies as well as people with special needs. Other members include captains of industry, Labour organizations, ALGON, farmers’ associations, traditional rulers, religious leaders and members of the press.
Speaking at the inauguration, President Buhari said that the Committee would oversee the execution of key deliverables, including recommending measures to ensure the continuous implementation of the Plans even after the expiration of the tenure of successive Administrations – including legislation, if required”.
According to the President, “the main objectives of these Successor Plans are to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty within the next 10 years, particularly given the World Bank’s projection that Nigeria will become the world’s third most populous country by 2050 with over 400 million people.”
In a Statement by the President through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina said that it had become necessary to develop Successor Plans to the Nigeria Vision 20:2020 and the ERGP, which both lapse in December this year, in order to ensure continuity and efficiency in the country’s development planning.
On the mandate of the National Steering Committee, President Buhari said it would oversee governance structure comprising the Central Working Group and 26 Technical Working Groups for important national assignments.
The President noted that it had become necessary to develop Successor Plans to the Nigeria Vision 20:2020 and the ERGP, which both would lapse in December this year, in order to ensure continuity and efficiency in the country’s development planning.
He urged the National Steering Committee not to lose sight of the important role Nigeria plays on the continent as well as in the global community.
The President said the Successor Plans must, therefore, be designed to sustain national development, as well as support regional and global strategic interests, as outlined in the African Union Agenda 2063, the ECOWAS Integration Agenda 2050 and the Sustainable Development Goals 2030.
ALSO READ: ECOWAS Suspends Launch Of Single Currency As Buhari Cautions
Underscoring the importance of national development planning, the President said if carefully conceived and diligently implemented, it can transform the economic fortunes of a nation.
He added that “the Chinese experience is an example. It has resulted in lifting over 700 million people out of poverty over the last four decades. Indeed, China’s track record of positive economic growth, since 1992, was only halted in the first quarter of 2020, due to the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic. COVID-19 presents the world – and Nigeria – with a crisis as well as an opportunity. The current global health and economic crises give us an opportunity to think afresh and chart an optimal path forward.”
The President recalled that in February 2017 when he launched the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, its objectives included, restoring and sustaining growth, investing in people and building a globally competitive economy.
President Buhari said Nigeria’s Vision 20:2020 was an articulation of the long-term intent to launch Nigeria onto a path of sustained socio-economic development. “The ERGP shared this vision, which ensured that the country exited recession in 2017 and sustained growth in Gross Domestic Product until the recent global economic challenges occasioned by COVID-19”, he added.
On the composition of the committee, the President said in order to ensure a truly consultative, participatory and inclusive planning process, the membership will comprise representatives of one State governor from each of the six geopolitical zones, the Senate and House of Representatives, ministers and representatives of key agencies.
”At the heart of the Successor Plans is the partnership between the public and private sectors, with Government as the enabler of private sector investment and industry,” the President said.
In her remarks, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Ahmed noted that lately, various zones of the country have been pursuing different economic cooperation within their areas. She urged that the new Plans consider the comparative advantages available in these regional blocs to build a virile Nigeria.
”Although the two National Plans are on their way out, the question that will remain on the lips of Nigerians and which we must be ready to provide an answer with little or no prompting as we progress with the preparation of the successor Plans, is how much the Plans have transformed Nigerian economy.
On the other hand, Peterside pledged to work as a team, commending the President for making the Committee very inclusive.
”For a development plan to be successful, it has to be inclusive, people should be consulted, own it and believe it is working for them,” he said.
About the Author
