Abia State Government has called for collaboration and partnerships between the states and the local governments in project execution to obtain optimal social and economic outputs
In his address at the 18th Community of Practice Meeting held at the Banquet Hall Government House, Umuahia, Governor Alex Otti who pointed out that planning should be at the core of every worthwhile development initiative, asserted that the success of any society since the beginning of time is essentially about what happens at the planning room.
The governor who was represented by his deputy Engr Ikechukwu Emetu, maintained that the gains of the Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy in July last year can only manifest when stakeholders appreciate that absolute autonomy may not be immediately feasible in a federation with multiplicity of challenges that can only be effectively tackled through collaboration, joint planning and pooling of resources.
He also reminded the Commissioners that the interconnectedness of today’s business environment and the dynamic evolution of the global supply chain which provided the thrust for several nations to rise in the world economic ladder, also has its Achilles heel as “we are now witnessing with events in far-flung corners of the world having dire impact for governments, businesses and families in other places”.
He pointed out that the challenge before the economic planners is to evaluate what is happening in Nigeria and elsewhere, and develop a coherent set of responses that would enable the country and its constituent states to reap from the gains of the emerging global economic order and carefully mitigate, through wise policy options and legal frameworks, the multiple headwinds that will inevitably follow.
Also, Gov. Otti advised that the Economic Planning Boards across the states have to be reactivated and made effective to guarantee equitable and prudent use of resources pooled by the states and local governments as determined by the individual state houses of assembly.
In a keynote address, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, who espoused and expounded the concept of local government autonomy and its imperative for good governance and National development, explained the duty of the local government to participate in economic planning.
He maintained that planning is sinequanon to economic growth to avoid a waste of time and resources.
Earlier in his address, the State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr Kingsley Anosike, stated that the 18th Community of Practice (CoP) meeting themed, “Local Government Autonomy: Imperatives for Good Governance and National Development”, presents a unique opportunity for the participants to come together, deliberate and share insight as the theme resonates deeply with “our collective mission to enhance governance structure and sustainable development across all level of government”.
He reminded the participants that the goal of the meeting is to, through their rich and vibrant discussions create a role plan for sustainable development that will empower local government and enhance good governance.
Goodwill messages were presented by Dr. John Mutu representing Foreign Commonwealth Development Office-Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement and others during the meeting which saw the Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Deputy Governor, Barr. Chijioke Nwankwo among other government functionaries in attendance.
