FG Solicits Donor Agencies Support Amid Crisis

The Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clem Ikanade Agba, says to reduce the over 2.5 million acutely malnourished and stunted children, the Federal Government is implementing innovative policies and strategies that are appropriately funded, data-driven and sustainable, Todayng reports.

As the country battles a myriad of humanitarian crises in history, the Federal Government has solicited for continuous support from international agencies to bridge the resource gap.

The Minister of State for Finance, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, made the appeal during a one-day interactive forum with development partners and International non-governmental organizations (INGOs), in Abuja on Thursday.

He however, stated that this cannot be achieved without proper coordination on the activities of Development Partners and INGOs intervening in various sectors in the country as well as creating the needed conducive atmosphere for them to thrive.

Agba who was represented by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Olushola Idowu noted that there are some lingering challenges the donor community and their implementing agencies are faced with and assured that “everything within our means will be done to correct all anomalies”.

“This interactive forum is one of such platforms that ensure an interface between the donor community in the country and all key stakeholders, and resolutions reached here would anchor the foundation for an enhanced donor- recipient relation in the country.

“I also wish to reiterate the need for donor agencies and INGOs to adhere and operate within the guidelines and jurisdiction of their mandates as encapsulated in the Memorandum of Understanding. This will foster mutual trust and understanding amongst all and the need to tailor your operations towards addressing our developmental challenges.

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“It is in this light that I urge us all to make the necessary efforts to ensure that the opportunities offered by this platform for all stakeholders to exchange ideas on issues of general concern and other similar initiatives are not misplaced”, he stated.

Expressing delight that the forum has finally taken place after a lull the minister said, “our inability to hold the forum in past couple of years was not deliberate but due to the exigencies of time”.

“This edition of the interactive forum could not have been held at a more auspicious time given the recent escalation of insecurity in the country. The interaction between the Ministry, key stakeholders and the Donor community is aimed at engendering partnership for shared national development of our dear country”, he said.

He acknowledged the continuous support of all the Development Partners operating in the country with a view towards the attainment of Nigeria’s development aspiration and improved well-being for its citizens.

He said the forum is significant as it is coming at a time Nigeria is finalizing the implementation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP, 2017-2020), while the National Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP) has been developed to serve as a “Transit” plan between the ERGP and a Successor Plan which is currently in its preparatory stage.

“The design and implementation of the NESP is predicated on the promotion of some basic target areas that include; Local content and Self-reliance; Economic Stimulation; Job preservation/creation; and Pro-poor growth”, he added.