By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
The Federal Government has charged the 36 States Governors and stakeholders to pay more attention to the development of the agricultural value-chain to improved bio-economy in order to reduce unemployment rate in Nigeria.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry Of Budget And Economic Planning, Nebeolisa Anako, gave the charge on Tuesday, at the 22nd edition of Joint Planning Board (JPB) meeting held at the Center for Black Culture, Osogbo, with the theme: “Imperative for Restoring Nigeria on the Path of Sustainable Economic Growth and Development.”
Anako also said it is very important to pay attention to the Food Systems transformation Pathways for improved nutrition as panacea to reduce stunted growth particularly in the Rural and Under-served areas of the nation in line with the declaration of State of emergency in the sector by the administration.
He disclosed that the federal government is doing everything possible to address the hardship faced by Nigerians in the wake of economic reforms which has resulted in the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the Naira.
He urged Governors to use their esteemed positions to aggressively sensitise their citizens on the long-term benefits of the subsidy removal and the floating of the Naira.
The PS commended the efforts of the State Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries of Budget and Economic Planning and other Stakeholders, for being true partners in the development of Nigeria.
According to him, “The present administration is doing everything possible to address the hardship faced by Nigerians in the wake of economic reforms which has resulted in the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the Naira. These challenges which are temporary, will be over with time. I, therefore, want to use this opportunity to urge you to use your esteemed positions to aggressively sensitise the Nigerian public on the long-term benefits of these policies.
“The recent approval of Five Billion Naira (A5 billion), and some consignment of food stuff to each State of the Federation were immediate measures taken to mitigate the hardship caused as a result of these reforms. It is hoped that as other medium-term measures are unfolding, Nigerians would appreciate the rationale behind these important decisions so far taken.
“With this background, the importance and urgency of this year’s theme for this August body, the JPB is unmistakable. The JPB made up of seasoned and tested Public Administrators, Planners, Top Bureaucrats and Economy specialists at both Federal and State level has a mandate to bring up useful ideas and pathways before the NCDP who will advice Government on sure-footed solutions.
“Let me use this opportunity to urge all the Representatives of the 36 States here to encourage their respective Governors and stakeholders to pay more attention to the development of the agricultural value-chain for improved bio-economy; and to pay more attention to the Food Systems transformation Pathways for improved Nutrition as panaceas to reducing unemployment, and stunted growth, particularly in the Rural and Under-Served Areas of the nation, in line with the declaration of State of emergency in the sector, by this Administration.
“We must strengthen the collaboration and synergy between the Federal Government, the State Government, and Local Governments towards effective implementation of all the resolutions/decisions of the Joint Planning Board/National Council on Development Planning (JPB/NCDP) as a way to fastrack national developmental objectives,” he said
The Director, Special Duties/NEC secretariat, Dr. ‘Mrs.’ Gloria Ahmed said that at the end of JPB/NDCP meetings, participants would be better informed on strategies to address economic issues for visible development at the National and Sub-national levels.
She said, “It is also hoped that through robust peer-review and experience sharing among participants, there would be better prospects for all round socio-economic development across the Nation.”