Oyo state government has announced the state’s readiness to be the most preferred destination and hub of economic activities in Nigeria.
The announcement was made on Monday by the State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Barr. Adeniyi Farinto during the inauguration of the central working committee and technical working group for the state’s home-grown development plan.
This inauguration came weeks after the State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde set up a steering committee to oversee the actualisation of the 20-year holistic plan to develop the pace setters State.
Farinto while delivering his speech, noted that “State Development Plan (SDP) offers a long-term perspective and affords us an opportunity to rethink our strategy and engage the different sectors of the society in the actualisation of a better state”
He explained that the plan would in no small measure “improve farmer’s productivity, accelerate infrastructure provision in key areas, improve internally generated revenue, make Oyo state the hub of economic activities and enhance employment and job creation through the provision of productive and sustainable livelihoods for the youths in Oyo State.”
He emphasized that the commencement of the process would begin with consultations which he said would be broad based in order to receive comments and inputs from citizens in all the seven geopolitical zones of the State.
“I make bold to say that the process we begin today will articulate our great potentials into social and economic benefits for all, but particularly for our young people and it is central for the future of our state,” he added.
Speaking earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Mofoluke Adebiyi stated that the planning process would be inclusive.
She said the operational framework would be premised on three levels, with the Technical Working Group as the engine room where the technical works shall be executed before escalation to the Central Working Committee which has oversight functions on each of the technical working group.
“At the top of the levels is the steering committee which has an overall oversight functions on all planning process.”
She emphasized how demanding the preparation of a strategic plan could be but said much faith was put in the expertise and experience of professionals chosen for the work.
Also speaking at the event, the lead consultant for the project, Prof Olu Ajakaiye categorized the plan into three different scope which he called Long term plan 2021-2040, Medium term sectoral strategic plan, 2021-2025 and Medium term plan – Annual budget link
He made spoke on the fact that the plan cut across all sectors from health, education, infrastructure, justice and rule of law, youths and sport development, media information and innovative technology, but however without resource mobilization and implementation strategy all these plan will not be actualized.
