The Federal Government has pledged strict monitoring of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs’) projects, including constituency projects across the country.
Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr Zaphaniah Jisalo, said this while unveiling the ministry’s eight priorities strategic plan for 2024 to 2028 on Wednesday in Abuja.
The ministry’s road map is to serve as a guide to enable the ministry to optimally contribute to the successful implementation of the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
Jisalo said, ”The plan is not just a document but it is to serve as proof of the ministry’s dedication to fulfilling the aspirations of Nigerians in terms of execution of projects.
“The constituency projects are given to the members of the national assembly, both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
“They domicile these projects to various MDAs including community projects and these agencies execute these projects for them.
“On our own part as a ministry and as part of our mandates, is to monitor, do an evaluation and also certify the payment.
“You know some of the projects are not in our ministry, they are in other ministries, we will collaborate with them to know what the national assemblies are doing. ”
According to him, the renewed hope agenda represents an unwavering commitment to rejuvenate the nation, guided by a set of principles firmly anchored in progress, innovation, and inclusivity.
“It is a vision that looks beyond our current challenges and envisions a Nigeria that thrives economically, socially, politically, and environmentally.
“The helm of our responsibilities is the task to effect special assignments as mandated by the president, aimed at fostering grassroots development and effective policy implementation.
“Our duty involves diligent monitoring and authorization of payments for constituency projects, evaluating policies and projects across government bodies, fostering harmonious relations within the tiers of government and international entities, ” Jisalo explained.
The minister listed the key priority areas of the plan to include; reforming the economy to deliver sustained/inclusive growth and strengthening national security for peace and prosperity.
Others are to boost agriculture to achieve food security and unlock energy and natural resources for sustainable development.
Others, he said, are enhancing infrastructure and transportation as enablers of growth focused on education, health, and social investment.
He described them as essential pillars of development, accelerating diversification through digitization and improving governance for effective service delivery.
In her remark, Mrs. Ibiene Roberts, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said the plan was imperative as it was the first time the ministry had ever set such an agenda since its establishment.
She said, “Today is a very important day for the ministry as this is the first time the ministry would be having a strategic plan since its creation.
“And perhaps could be among the very few ministries that have developed their sectoral plans in response to Mr. President’s directive for all MDAs to align their policies, programs, and projects in line with the priorities of the renewed hope agenda. ”
Also, Mr Chukwugozie Nwachukwu, House Committee Chairman on Intergovernmental Affairs, described the event as steps taken in the right direction by the ministry to better the affairs of Nigerians positively.
He said, “What we are doing today is continuously leveraging in building capacity toward bettering Nigeria for our collective goals and for the entire citizens. ”
He, however, gave assurance that the current minister, being a member of the House of Representatives before, would use his wealth of experience to ensure the credibility of project execution across the country.
The highlights of the event included the launch of the Ministry’s Strategic Plan.
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