Pulse.ng : KDSG Commits To SUSTAIN Agenda, Reviews LGDP for effective 'Rural Transformation', Government's Economic Prosperity

By Sani Idris

The Kaduna State Government (KDSG), has commits itself to the realisation of its SUSTAIN agenda.

This, drive the review of the Local Government Development Plan (LGDP) to ensure effective 'Rural Transformation', as contained in Governor Uba Sani's SUSTAIN Agenda to ensure the government's economic prosperity especially at grassroots level.

At a two-day workshop on the review and alignment of LGDP to the SUSTAIN manifesto on Friday in Zaria, Kaduna, the Permanent Secretary of the Kaduna State Ministry of Local Government Affairs Dr. Mahmud Lawal, recalled that a template was developed by the Planning and Budget Commission, which outlined the seven SUSTAIN pillars and their respective focus areas.

He explained that activities within the mandate of the Local Governments that supports attainment of the focus areas are expected to have been identified.

He equally said the template was provided to guide the review of the LGDP.

Lawal also said it is imperative to understand that Local Government Development Strategy would be the entry point and constant reference for making Government open and empowering citizens to judge the present administration based on its performance.

To this end, the Permanent Secretary said, articulating strategies and the specific actions necessary to achieve promises outlined in the campaign agenda of the present administration is very crucial.

He noted that the reviewed LGDP is expected to outline the shared vision the government desire to achieve in the next five years, the ways in which citizens’ lives would be transformed, transform the State’s economy, and strengthen model of governance at the grassroots.

"It is also important to note that annual estimates of Local Government Councils are majorly sourced from the development plan. This calls for engagement with key stakeholders within the Local Governments with a view to having an all encompassing reviewed LGDP,"he added.

Lawal thanked PERL–ARC and ECP, LAFIYA Program and Save the Children for their support, and also the Planning and Budget Commission for providing facilitation.

He also appreciated the presence of Civil Society Organisations and their valuable contributions over the years.

Lawal also commended the Local Government participants’ sense of commitment, adding that the ministry would continue to support strengthening of the local governments for improved service delivery.

Also speaking, one of the development partners, Farouk Abdulkadir of Safe the Children International (SCI), Kaduna Field Office, believed that aligning the LG Development Plan to the SUSTAIN agenda of the Kaduna Government would ensure enhanced levels of vertical policy-budget alignment and further entreach sustainability in the policy development process at both levels.

According to him, it would also assure the citizens that government is listening and committed to using available resources efficiently and in a sustainable manner.

Abdulkadir, therefore used the opportunity to orient the Planning and Budget officers on the Community Health Needs process, which is aimed at strengthening citizens participation in health budget process.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the workshop was supported by Foreign Common Wealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Gate Foundation.(NAN)