Abia seeks law on implementation of 30- year development plan

ABIA State government has hinted of plans to seek legislation to implement the 30- year development plan prepared by the Partnership for Initiative in the Niger Delta ( PIND).

Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Ude Oko Chukwu, gave the hint at the public presentation of the development plan yesterday in Umuahia, saying the state would be seeking a law on implementation of the 30year plan in the state House of Assembly.

Chukwu, who represented Governor Okezie Ikpeazu at the event, corroborated PIND’S posture that the law was crucial to make implementation of the plan binding and mandatory on successive governments in the state.

He said the long- term plan would accelerate development of the state, adding that every segment of the state was incorporated in the plan.

Speaking, Ebebe Ukpong, who represented Executive Director of PIND, Dr. Dara Akala, expressed the hope that the plan would be actualised as desired if all stakeholders do the needful.

Also, PIND Advocacy Manager, Chuks Ofulue, who said the state development Plan 2020- 2050, a 30- year perspective plan for Abia people, captured their vision and collective aspirations for a growing and developed model state that would continuously uplift Abia people.

He said the plan has seven sections, 15 chapters, 11 pillars and four cross- cutting themes of agriculture, industry, trade and investment, oil and gas, health, education, social protection, governance and public service reforms, infrastructure, environment and regional planning, as well as monitoring and evaluation ( M& E).

Specifically, he said Chapter 15 on M& E provides answer to the question of how to measure progress and a guide for review of the plan to be conducted every five years.

Executive Secretary of Abia State Planning Commission, Mrs. Nnenna Chikezie, said the plan had the ultimate goal of promoting sustainable and stable development and improving the quality of life of Abia people.