The Ogun State Government is set to conduct household surveys to develop a framework that will assist in planning, management, and evaluation of the multi-dimensional poverty human development index.

The survey is expected to go one step further than the NBS’ multidimensional poverty index. The survey will allow the government of Prince Dapo Abiodun to assess the impact of the various policies it has been implementing in the last four and half years in such areas as education, health, job creation, empowerment and other social interventions.

Already, a consultant, E-services Nigeria Limited, has been contracted by the state government to carry out the survey for a 27-week period. The General Household Survey will produce indicators needed for the design and monitoring of the implementation of various State Development Plans (SDPs).

The consultant commenced work on 6 March. They are to work in liaison with the Ogun State Bureau of Statistics.

According to the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan, the survey will enable the state government to properly establish baselines on different data points in the state and allow for the implementation of the various strategies already earmarked for execution.  “This is in line with the ‘Building Our Future Together’ mantra of the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration, which over the years have executed and implemented various strategies cutting across the ISEYA development agenda.

“In the past five years, under the pillar of infrastructure, our administration has brought development to every ward in the 20 local government areas of the state. We have constructed, reconstructed, and rehabilitated over 500 kilometers of roads across all regions in the state in line with the administration’s policy of inclusiveness and determination to abolish erstwhile practices of prior administrations of developing one section of the state at the expense of other sections.

“Similarly, in the energy sector, the administration has installed over 500 transformers across communities through its Community Electrification Project and has improved power supply in the 20 local government areas.

“We have also provided solar street lights, solar boreholes for potable water, and the distribution of solar home kits to rural dwellers.

“The administration has also rehabilitated the Arakanga Waterworks in Abeokuta to ensure a reliable supply of potable water and constructed new water storage facilities as well as expanded the water supply and reticulation network to many streets and neighborhoods in the city of Abeokuta. These completed projects, which are already in use and being enjoyed by residents, will soon be formally commissioned.

“We are currently at the planning stage of expanding the reticulation network into new areas within the state while rehabilitating all our Mini Water Works in other parts of the state for improved water supply for our people.

“Ogun State is leading the pack in energy transition as we are on record as the first state to deploy Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses in Nigeria and have deployed them in Abeokuta and Mowe/Ibafo to Lagos routes with the aim to cushion the effects of transport fares for our citizens and facilitate movement of people and goods from the rural to urban and vice versa for increased livelihoods for our people,” he said.

The commissioner also spoke on the Gateway Agro-Cargo International Airport, which, along with its allied businesses in the aerotropolis, are expected to generate over 25,000 direct and indirect jobs.

He also noted the government’s investments in automating business processes to improve efficiency and the Ease of Doing Business Index in the state.

The commissioner said education and human capital development remain key priorities of the government with the renovation and construction of over 1,200 classrooms and buildings across all 234 wards in the state, together with over 50,000 new desks and chairs, provision of learning materials, and the implementation of the OgunDigiClass initiative, which utilizes technology for virtual learning.

Olabimtan spoke on efforts to address the shortage of teachers in public schools, with the recruitment of 5,000 teaching interns under the OGUNTEACH program and the recent conversion of 1,000 teachers from the program for permanent employment.

In the same vein, the commissioner noted that the Abiodun-led administration launched the Ogun Job Portal in 2019, which has enabled the government to match thousands of applicants with employment opportunities in the various sectors of the economy.

The government has also rehabilitated, equipped, and staffed 100 primary healthcare centres across the state to provide quality heathcare to the people, he said.

“We’ve implemented programmes to boost the status of women by including them in politics, governance, and economic activities, as well as providing education for girls.

“Through the Oko’wo Dapo Women’s Empowerment scheme, over 50,000 women have grown their businesses, and with additional funding from the Federal Government’s Nigeria for Women Project, the total investment in women’s empowerment now stands at about N1.5 billion,” he said.

In the area of provision of shelter, Olabimtan said the construction of 4,000 housing units, amongst others, are some interventions that the government believes should filter down to improve the living standards of the people of the state.

In addition, government, this year alone, started the construction of 200 units of high-end duplexes at PMB Estate, Kobape through a PPP programme, commenced development of Ibara and Idi Aba GRA Regeneration Schemes, commenced the construction of 200 units of Affordable Housing in Gateway Aviation Village, Iperu, commenced the construction of 250 units of Affordable Housing in Kobape Phase 3 and the construction of 100 units of mixed Housing units at OPIC Estate, Warewa, Isheri.

A recent report by BudgIT ranked Ogun State in the 7th position in the 2023 overall Fiscal Performance Ranking and 1st in most improved in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) among the 36 states and the FCT.

This affirms the position of the state as the investment destination of choice as well as one of the most resilient states.

“We will continue in our drive towards attracting investors by providing the most business-friendly environment through well-thought-out policies assisted and driven by technology,” Olabimtan said.