Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on Wednesday inaugurated
the state Economic Planning Board ( EPB ) as part of efforts to spur
development in rural areas. El-Rufai said at the inauguration in Kaduna that
the board would ensure effective coordination and preparation of local
government development plans and budget to improve the people’s livelihood.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Barnabas Bantex, the
governor said the state had already developed Local Government Planning and
Budgeting Manual to guide local government officials in planning and budgeting
process. He explained that the goal of reforming local government system was to
maximise the potential of local councils to deliver qualitative public service
at the community level. According to him, the step is taken to promote
development at the grassroots by creating an autonomous, adequately funded,
transparent and responsible local government system capable of delivering
services to the people.
“Kaduna State Local
Government Reform Law 2017 has mandated the LGAs to develop a culture of
participatory governance by encouraging community members to participate in the
preparation, implementation and review of development plans. “These structural reforms are intended to
give local governments a grea ter capacity for service delivery, promote
development at grassroots and ensure policy alignment with the state and
Federal Government policies.” Also, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning,
Muhammad Abdullahi, said the EPB would provide the needed platform for
collaboration between the state and the local governments to use resources
efficiently.
According to him,
the EPB is established by law, based on the provisions of the 1999 Constitution
as amended, and empowers LGAs to participate in development planning. He said
that EPB would allow the state and LGAs to plan and strategise in order to move
the state forward and improve the lot of the people. Abdullahi explained that
the board had the Commissioner, and the Director of Planning in the state’s Planning
and Budget Commission as the Chairman and secretary respectively. According to
him, other commissioners and heads of agencies are members.
He said that the
EPB had the mandate to advise the governor on the development of local
governments’ economy and measures necessary for efficient economic planning and
budgeting. “It will formulate studies and produce statistical data to reflect
the orderly, progressive and planned economic growth of the state and ensure
effective coordination in the preparation of LGAs annual and multi-year
budgets. “The Planning and Budget Commission is responsible for providing
guidance and oversight on local government planning, budgeting and economic
development. “It will also ensure that local government plans and development
issues are fully integrated at the state level to harness the resources of the
LGAs for the maximum benefit of the people.’’
NAN
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