Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN has inaugurated the State Joint Planning Council ( SJPC).
The Council is chaired by the Governor and has its members drawn from Top government Officials, Academic Institutions, Traditional Rulers, Local Government Areas, Non Governmental Organisations, Community Based Organizations, Professionals Bodies, Private Sector, and other critical stakeholders across the State.
While speaking during the inauguration held at the Cocoa Conference Hall, Governor's Office, Alagbaka Akure, Arakunrin Akeredolu stated that it is the first time in the history of the State that the State would have a Joint Planning Council that would plan for long term development of the State.
He explained that the Fiscal Responsibility Law 2017 empowers the Council to produce a long term development plan for the State, adding that the aims of the Development Plan are to ensure prudent management of the State resources, proper accountability and transparency in all government activities and projects which the governor noted would guarantee the future of the State.
Governor Akeredolu explained further that the development plan would enable successive administration to initiate policies and programs, that would catapult the economy of the State to greater heights and make it a developmental reference point in Nigeria and beyond. He, however, noted that the agenda of his administration which is acronym REDEEMED comprises most of the Seventeen Sustainable Development Goals SDGs and that the Agenda would be aligned with the State Development Plan.
Arakunrin Akeredolu, who hinted that his government would soon establish Performance and Project Implementation Unit in order to ensure that all ongoing and new projects are well monitored and implemented, assured that the era of abandoning projects is over in the State. He stressed the need for members of the Council to ensure that the Development Plan reflects the wishes and aspirations of all the citizens of the State irrespective of their political affiliation.The Governor, who promised to leave a lasting legacy for the State despite the economy challenges facing it, assured that the Long Term Development Plan would be for the people of the State and not for any political party.
In his goodwill massage, the United Nation's Children's Fund, Akure Field Office, Dr, Tushar Rane, represented by Mrs Ada Ezeogu Nutrition Specialist, promised technical supports for the Council.
Also in her remarks, the Special Assistant to Mr Governor on Public and Inter Govermantal Relation, Mrs Olubunmi Ademosun appreciated the Governor for his passion to develop the State and its people. She therefore called the good people of the State to participate actively in the development of the Plan.
Earlier in his opening address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mr Bunmi Alade explained that despite the widespread of insecurity, social unrest, rising inflation, weak exchange rate, budget deficit and general high cost of living, the present administration under the leadership of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN is exploring every opportunity and initiative to improve the welfare and better the standard of living of the citizens in the State.
He noted that the event is not only an attempt to re-engineer the path to prosperity, but also a reawakening to set right values and make necessary sacrifices for a just and egalitarian society where people can be proud of.
Present at the event were the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Secretary to Government, Princess Oladunni Odu; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Bamidele Oloyelogun; Chief Judge of the state, Oluwatoyin Akeredolu and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Olugbenga Ale.
Banjo Egunjobi,
Media Manager,
MEP&B.