REMARKS BY H.E. RT. HON. (DR) SIMON BAKO LALONG, KSGG, EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF PLATEAU STATE, AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE STATE STEERING COMMITTEE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PLATEAU STATE AGENDA 2050 HELD AT NEW GOVERNMENT HOUSE, RAYFIELD, JOS ON 20TH OCTOBER 2021.
PROTOCOLS
1. It is a great privilege to welcome you to this brief but very important event. Despite the fact that this administration is scheduled to exit the stage in less than two years from now, holding this kind of activity is a clear demonstration of our commitment to lay the foundation for the growth and long-term development of Plateau State over the next thirty years. That is, the focus of Plateau State Agenda 2050.
2. In our continuous efforts to leave behind positive and lasting legacies for the people of Plateau State, I had charged the Programme Management and Results Delivery Office (PMRDO), to work with our State Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Office, to leverage on the experiences and the lessons learned from our participation at the 2019 session of the United Nations General Assembly to craft a development plan that will outlive this current administration.
3. I was therefore excited to receive the report that these two offices successfully collaborated to attract the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the development of the Plateau State Agenda 2050. It is our intention to maximize this opportunity which the UNDP has provided for Plateau State to prepare for a better future.
4. The Plateau State Agenda 2050 will not only build upon the gains of the current Plateau State Development Strategy 2019 – 2023, but will also deliberately align our aspirations as a State to the global development targets and indicators captured in the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
5. The saying goes that “He who fails to plan, plans to fail.” Going by the dynamic nature of global challenges that resonate with every part of the world including Plateau State, we are determined to ensure that we are not caught napping. That is the reason why we are laying down this plan to ensure that Plateau State does not fail particularly in the days of adversity.
6. We are conscious of the dwindling inflow of resources from the centre, and the resultant agitations from various States in Nigeria for a review of the revenue sharing formula. Our aspiration as a State is to continue to grow and develop in such a manner that in no distant time, we will no longer need to depend on the inflow of resources from the centre. Already, we have started looking inwards and achieving modest results.
7. Plateau State is blessed with so many natural resources in agriculture; solid minerals; and tourism, which should make this State a significant net surplus contributor to the national coffers. I believe Nigerians have not forgotten the fact that Plateau State in the part played a key role in sustaining the Nigerian economy with the tin and Columbite from her mines for several decades before the advent of oil in this country.
8. I make bold to say that we can do it again as those resources are still available in abundance. Besides, we have human resources and talents in various fields that we are ready to offer the world. That is why we have planned an Economic and Investment Summit that will enable us remind investors of the vast opportunities that Plateau State is blessed with
9. Bearing this conviction in mind, I wish to charge this Steering Committee to leave no stone unturned in the effort of developing this blueprint that will restore Plateau State to the top three States in Nigeria with respect to economic development, good governance, and the social welfare of her people.
10. The composition of this committee has been carefully designed to convey sufficient authority, ensure inclusivity, and build sustainability. It is expected that the consultative engagements in this assignment will be wide and devoid of any partisan preferences. Only the best will be good enough for our state.
11. The membership of the Committee include:
i. H.E., Deputy Governor of Plateau State
Chairman
ii. Deputy Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly
Member
iii. Secretary to the Government of the State
Member
iv. Commissioner for Budget & Economic Planning
Member
v. Commissioner for Physical Planning & Urban Development
Member
vi. Commissioner for Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs
Member
vii. Commissioner for Justice & Attorney-General
Member
viii. Chairman – Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Plateau State Chapter
Member
ix. Director-General – Research and Documentation
Member
x. Director-General – State Bureau of Statistics
Member
xi. State Coordinator – Sustainable Development Goals Office
Member
xii. Chairman – Economic and Financial Advisory Council
Member
xiii. Chairman – State Traditional Council
Member
xiv. President – Plateau Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (PLACCIMA)
Member
xv. Chairman – Plateau Civil Societies Forum
Member
xvi. Representative – Plateau State Diaspora Community
Member
xvii. Chief Technical Advisor – Programme Management and Results Delivery Office
Secretary
12. As a gender-sensitive Governor and one who believes in the capacity of women to contribute effectively to assignments such as this, I promise to include on this committee, the Head of the Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunity Commission immediately we announce that appointment.
13. These are your Terms of Reference:
a) To provide strategic leadership and direction for the Development Plan Project.
b) To ensure the carrying out of a Needs Assessment and set up Sectoral Working Groups accordingly.
c) To oversee the process of developing the Plan and guide the work and activities of the Sectorial Working Committees, ensuring consistency with their respective Terms of Reference.
d) To report regularly to the Executive Governor on the progress of work on the project.
e) To provide necessary linkages between the State Executive Council, the State House of Assembly, the State Traditional Council, the Organised Private Sector and other relevant Stakeholders in the State.
f) To act as Authoriser to ensure cooperation and collaboration of all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Government and other relevant non-state actors groups.
g) To provide first level approvals of drafts of the Development Plan at different stages of development.
h) To create the enabling environment for all necessary stakeholder engagements and other relevant events for the project.
i) To ensure alignment of the policy goals, targets and strategies in the Development Plan with the Vision and Mission of Plateau State.
j) To communicate the overall purpose, direction and progress of the project to MDAs and other relevant Stakeholders.
k) To lead the presentation of the Plateau Agenda 2050 to the State EXCO for approval.
l) To secure the legislative instrument for the sustainable implementation of the Plan across various administrations up to year 2050.
m) To set up a Secretariat to coordinate logistics and to work with the Consultants engaged for the project, providing backstopping support to the various teams on the project.
n) To ensure lessons learned and good practices are documented for subsequent references
(MEMBERS RISE TO BE INAUGURATED)
14. I hereby declare the Steering Committee of the Plateau State Agenda 2050 duly constituted. (You may now take your seats, please)
15. Finally, as I wish the members of the Steering Committee a successful assignment, I call on all citizens of Plateau at home and in the diaspora; friends, lovers and well-wishers of this great State, irrespective of their political, religious or social leanings, to contribute their quotas to this crucial exercise whenever called upon by the Committee.
16. Thank you all. God bless Plateau State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG,
Executive Governor,
Plateau State.
20th October 2021.
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