NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DEVPT PLAN: OSINBAJO DECRIES CORRUPTION, WEAK INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA, INAUGURATES PROJECTS IN EBONYI

REPORTER: AMECHI ODO

Vice President Yemi Osibanjo has called for strengthening of public institutions and improved governance structure to enable government at all levels to implement policies and programmes that will speed up the economic development of the country.

He stated this while addressing participants at the 2022 National Council on Development Plan conference on-going at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House Abakaliki.

The 21st edition of National Council on Development Plan was attended by the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba; the Minister of Finance, Hadjia Zainab Ahmed, who joined through zoom; Permanent Secretaries; State Commissioners of Finance; Private Sector and Civil Society representatives.

Vice President Yemi Osibanjo noted that the strategic objective of the National Council on Development Plan was to serve as a platform for the establishment of a strong foundation for diversifying the economy, investment in critical infrastructure, human capital development and strengthening of security to achieve national development aspirations.

He identified weak institution, democratic corruption and poor governance structure as the bane for slow economic development in Nigeria and called for a change to facilitate proper implementation of the nation’s medium term blueprint.

The Minister of Finance, Hadjia Zainab Ahmed enjoined all states across the country to align their medium term plans to national aspirations and work collaboratively with the organised private sector for effective implementation.

Governor David Umahi drew the attention of the Council to the debate on Value Added Tax (VAT) and subsidy.

The Governor stressed the need for VAT to be included in the Exclusive List.

Highpoint of the event was the inauguration of some projects completed by Ebonyi State government, which were Senator Sam Egwu Flyover Ezzamgbo, President Buhari Light Tunnel, a section of Abakaliki-Afikpo Highway and Isieke-Mile fifty dual carriage way all performed by the Vice President.