By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
Delta State Government, Thursday, commenced preparatory work for the formulation of a new Medium-Term Development Plan, covering 2024-2027, for the state.
The State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr Sunny Ekadeyan, disclosed this in his welcome remarks at an enlightenment and orientation workshop for Focal Persons at Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) held at the Prof. Chike Edozien Secretariat in Asaba.
Ekadeyen said the state achieved 80 per cent of its Medium-Term Development Plan for 2020-2023 and commended professionals from different cadres of the State Civil Service for their contributions to the effective realisation of the development plan.
Represented by the Director of Budget, Mr Thompson Olije, the Commissioner expressed gratitude for answering the clarion call, adding that the crucial task ahead would be of immense benefit not only to Delta State but also the entire nation.
“It is indeed an honour and a privilege to address this gathering of eloquent professionals from different cadres of the Civil Service who are dedicated to providing a plan for driving the MORE Agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
“I can also recollect that the last edition was for 2020-2023 and, going through it, I discovered that at least 80% of the plan was achieved and this goes to show the dynamism of the Civil Servants as go- getters.
“As people in governance, we cannot over-emphasize the importance of this medium term development plan. It is the framework needed to drive the M.O.R.E. Agenda of the present government
“This is critical, given our ever-increasing needs in terms of health, education, potable water, roads and other socio- economic amenities, for sustainable development.
“I urge all of you to put in your best so that the Governor Oborevwori- led administration can effortlessly implement its M.O.R.E. agenda even as I have complete faith in your professional expertise and experience in executing this task successfully.” Ekadeyan stated.
Workshop Consultant, Prof. Eric Eboh, said the purpose of the workshop was to enlighten and give orientation to Focal Persons from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for the generation, collation, organising, drafting and submission of writeup inputs into Delta State Medium Term Plan 2024-2027.
He said proper crafting of the Medium-Term Development Plan 2024-2027 was critical to the achievement of the MORE agenda and urged all to work towards achieving the aim of the meeting.
Prof. Eboh, pioneer Chief Jobs and Wealth Creation Officer in the state, said the development plan of any state or country was one of the most important documents and congratulated all the focal persons on being nominated to represent their MDAs.
Using China as a case study, Eboh said, the Asian country had had successful five-year development plan since 1953, adding that going by the growth rate projection, China would overtake United States of America as the largest economy in the world in 10 years time.
“In Nigeria, the current Medium-Term Development 2021-2025 is being realigned to the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“In Delta State, the oil sector accounts for 48 per cent of the states’ Gtoss Domedtic Product (GDP) while the non- oil sector accounts for 52 per cent.”
Eboh argued that the oil sector was just a revenue earner for the state and does not employ many people. He called for an improvement of the non-oil sector which employs more Deltans.
Welcoming participants earlier, the Director, Planning, Ministry of Economic Planning and Head of Drafting Task Team, Mrs Azuka Monyei, said the Medium-Term Development Plan was a very important document every country, state and local government should have, adding that the plan shows the road map on how the nation and state could plan for the welfare of its citizens especially in the current perilous times.