Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has stressed that his administration will embrace and key into the Federal Government’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) as they are already contained in the five Cardinal Policy Pillars of his administration.
Governor Ikpeazu who stated this while declaring open the South-East Zonal Technical Workshop on Medium-Term National Development Plan 2021-2025 held at the Micheal Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, said that the Cardinal Policies on Agriculture, Education, Commerce/Industry, Health, Oil and Gas with their Institutional and Infrastructural enablers are the priority of the Federal Government, in addition to Gender, Regional Development, Finance, Monitoring and Evaluation, Revenue Generation with emphasis on Non-Oil Revenue and Diversification of Economy among other things.
The Governor added that his administration is committed to exploring every opportunity to ensure that resources are effectively harnessed to upgrade the public facilities in all parts of the State.
Governor Ikpeazu represented by his Deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu expressed optimism that the Abia Long Term Development Plan will serve as a guide to all participants at the Workshop and charged them to brace up to the new challenge of economic diversification for the common good as they interact, brainstorm and meet critical Stakeholders in the implementation process of the laudable National Policy.
The State Chief Executive said it is expected that the outcome of the zonal workshop will enable Government in the South East Zone to key into the policy and accordingly ensure effective implementation and commended organizers and sponsors for the choice of Abia as their host.
In her address, the Permanent Secretary and Executive Secretary Abia State Planning Commission, Dr (Mrs) Nnenna Chikezie noted that their contributions will accelerate economic and infrastructural development of the South East Zone within the implementation period of the Medium Term Development and urged them to set their priorities right and pay attention in the draft that will bring sustainable development in the region by improving the livelihood of the people.
In her goodwill message on behalf of the National Program Manager, FCDO – PERL at the Zonal Workshop, Mrs Chioma Itoro while commending the State Government and the South East Zone for making their voice count, stressed the need to generate the necessary support for sustained political commitment, establish co-ordinations, a mechanism for progress and effective system for monitoring and analysis for a transparent report on results.
