The Enugu State Government has commenced the process of formulating a 25-year development plan aimed at ensuring continuity in governance, sustaining development projects and promoting inclusive economic growth beyond successive administrations.
Governor Peter Mbah disclosed this during the inauguration of a stakeholders’ engagement and data collection exercise for the proposed long-term development blueprint.
Represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr Emeka Ajogwu, the governor called on stakeholders to provide accurate and relevant information to help identify the state’s development priorities, particularly in infrastructure, healthcare, education and economic growth.
He stressed the importance of collective participation in developing a framework that would guide the state’s development over the next 25 years.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Chris-Robert Ozongwu, said the exercise was being organised in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He explained that the initiative would help align government policies with the aspirations of residents, incorporate the Sustainable Development Goals into the state’s development agenda and establish a framework for continuity in governance.
Ozongwu noted that a long-term development plan would provide direction for successive administrations, helping to sustain development priorities and improve coordination in policy implementation.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on SDGs, Mrs Onyinye Akubuilo-Okpalamma, urged residents to participate actively in the consultation process.
She emphasised that citizens’ contributions would be instrumental in shaping the state’s long-term development agenda to reflect the needs and aspirations of communities across Enugu State.
Stakeholders at the event, including the Enugu State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Fabian Nwigbo, and the Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Samuel Asadu, commended the government for involving citizens in the development planning process.
They noted that community participation would promote public ownership of government policies and projects, strengthen accountability and improve the sustainability of development initiatives.
Correspondent Okechukwu Ezeona reports that the stakeholders’ engagement is expected to help establish clear development priorities across Enugu State’s 17 local government areas.
The exercise is also expected to strengthen accountability, stimulate economic growth and improve the quality of life of residents through a coordinated, inclusive and long-term approach to development planning.
