President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated the National Steering Committee (NSC) to oversee the development of the Nigeria Agenda 2050 and Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) to succeed Vision 20:2020 and the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) 2017 – 2020 which both lapse in December this year.
Speaking at the inauguration, which took place at the Presidential Villa Abuja, President Buhari said The National Steering Committee for the development of Successor Plans to Vision 20:2020 and ERGP will be jointly chaired by Mr Atedo Peterside and the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr (Mrs) Zainab Ahmed.
He said 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 3rd most populous country by 2050 with over 400 million people.
He 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.
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 6 Geopolitical Zones, the Senate and House of Representatives, Ministers and Representatives of key agencies.
Other members of the National Steering Committee are major political parties, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), captains of industries, Labour Organisations, Youth Organisations and Women’s Societies, Farmers’ Associations, Traditional and Religious Leaders, people with special needs and members of the press.
Buhari added, ”It is my expectation that the Steering Committee will 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.
”Such legislation may introduce much-needed rigour and discipline to the nation’s development planning as well as institutionalise planned outcomes for the future. I trust that our partners in the National Assembly will support us in exploring these reforms.”
The President believes the plans could transform the nation’s economy and further strengthen its position in both the ECOWAS sub-region and on the African continent as a whole.
He noted, ”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 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.”
He highlighted the objectives of Vision 20:2020 and the ERGP and how they had fared.
Buhari spoke further, ”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.
”Over the decades, successive planning and visioning exercises have guided investment in human capital development, the implementation of our infrastructural roadmap, and supported social investment in our people’s lives and livelihoods.”
He also spoke on the membership of the committee, saying that it comprised one governor from each of the six geopolitical zones; the Senate; House Representatives; ministers; and some key agencies of government.
“Other members of the National Steering Committee are major political parties, ALGON, captains of industries, Labour Organisations, youth organisations and women’s societies, farmers’ associations, traditional and religious leaders, people with special needs and members of the press”, the State House said on Wednesday.
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Ahmed, in a remark, said lately, various zones of the country had been pursuing different economic cooperation within their areas.
Ahmed urged that the new plans should consider the comparative advantages available in these zones to build a stronger national economy.
The minister said, ”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.
”As the National Steering Committee for the preparation of the new Plans, we must therefore strive to give hope to the great citizens of this country with the quality of Plans that we are coming up with.”
On his part, Peterside pledged to work as a team, commending the Buhari for making the committee an inclusive one.
(C) Control TV 2020.
