The Cross River State Planning Commission with the support of the United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF, has developed a 103 page document to serve as framework for the economic growth of the state.
The document which was launched by the governor of Cross River State in southern Nigeria, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, contains information formulated to strategically and economically transform the state spanning 2024 to 2033.
Otu, who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Peter Odey, said, ‘the State Development Plan is a clear-cut strategy aimed at promoting sustainable, equitable, and inclusive growth in Cross River State.’
He made reference to the sectional provisions of the document, stating ‘the four-section plan is designed to address the Cross River State’s unique challenges and improve the material well-being of its citizens.’
Leveraging previous documents
The governor underscore the importance of the document, hinting that its creation and purpose were similar to previous existing development plans such a
s ‘the State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (SEEDS), Local Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (LEEDS) and the Growth and Development Strategy (GDS).
Other documents that were leveraged on to develop the 10-year plan included the National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), the National Development Plan and the Human Capital Development (HCD) Vision 2030.
The governor stated, ‘this plan addresses our state’s developmental challenges including non-inclusive economic growth, infrastructure deficits, climate change, poverty, limited fiscal space, unemployment, inequality, and other forms of human deprivation.
‘The monitoring and evaluation framework built into the plan to assist in tracking progress over the plan period is highly commendable. I sincerely commend UNICEF for the assistance rendered to the state as well as other actors,’he further remarked.
Invaluable Contributions
The Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the State Planning Commission, Dr. Bong Duke, was
appreciative to UNICEF for conceptualizing and initiating the idea of the State Development Plan and for providing the necessary support, which made the document a reality.
‘We also appreciate the contributions of the Heads of Local Government Areas (HOLGAs), youth groups, farmers associations, women groups and everyone, who played a role in formulating this Development Plan.
‘Your input has been invaluable at every stage, and we look forwar ii îd to the positive impact this plan will have on our society,’ he said.
The document is a 130-page booklet and contains the state plans divided into nine chapters and four sections, which outlines, in the first section, the objectives of the plan, while the second section identifies the state’s development challenges, focusing on infrastructure, social welfare, governance, and environmental sustainability.
The third section provides an analysis of root causes and identifies bottlenecks, and the final section highlights the potentials, opportunities, and key pillars
of the State Development Plan
Source: Voice of Nigeria