As the country grapples with myriad of unprecedented humanitarian crises, the Federal Government has solicited for continuous support from international donor agencies to bridge resource gaps.
The Minister of State for Finance, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba made the appeal at a one-day interactive forum with development partners and International non-governmental organizations (INGOs), in Abuja on Thursday.
He, however, stated that “this cannot be achieved without proper coordination of the activities of Development Partners and INGOs intervening in various sectors in the country as well as creating a conducive atmosphere for them to operate.”
Agba, who was represented by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Mrs Olusola Idowu, noted that there were some lingering challenges the donour community and their implementing agencies were faced with and assured stakeholders that “everything within our means will be done to correct all anomalies.”
“This interactive forum is one of such platforms that ensure an interface between the donor community in the country and all key stakeholders, and resolutions reached here would anchor the foundation for an enhanced donour- recipient relation in the country.
“I also wish to reiterate the need for donour agencies and INGOs to adhere and operate within the guidelines and jurisdiction of their mandates as encapsulated in the Memorandum of Understanding.
“This will foster mutual trust and understanding amongst all and the need to tailor your operations towards addressing our development challenges.
“It is in this light that I urge us all to make the necessary efforts to ensure that the opportunities offered by this platform for all stakeholders to exchange ideas on issues of general concern and other similar initiatives are not misplaced,” he stated.
Expressing delight that the forum has finally taken place after a lull, the minister said, “our inability to hold the forum in past couple of years was not deliberate but due to the exigencies of time.”
“This edition of the interactive forum could not have been held at a more auspicious time given the recent escalation of insecurity in the country.
“The interaction between the Ministry, key stakeholders and the Donour community is aimed at engendering partnership for shared national development of our dear country,” he said.
He acknowledged the continuous support of all the Development Partners operating in the country with a view to attaining Nigeria’s development aspiration and improved well-being for its citizens.
He said the forum was significant as it was coming at a time Nigeria was finalizing the implementation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP, 2017-2020), while the National Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP) had been developed in serving as a “Transit” plan between the ERGP and a Successor Plan which was currently in its preparatory stage.
“The design and implementation of the NESP is predicated on the promotion of some basic target areas that include; Local content and Self-reliance; Economic Stimulation; Job preservation/creation; and Pro-poor growth,” he added.
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