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Kwara State Government yesterday launched a 10-year sustainable development plan (SDP) which Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said envisions the bright future that the administration pursues, and is anchored on four pillars of governance and institutional reforms, economic development, social development, and infrastructural development.
The Governor said the SDP comprises in clear terms “our plans for education, healthcare, security architecture, transport system, rural-urban development, waste management, youth engagements and women empowerment, safety nets, climate change and other environmental issues.”
The launch drew applauses from the federal government, United Nations Development Programme, Afreximbank, organised private sector players, traditional institutions and civic groups — all of whom described the document as a deliberate and robust effort of the AbdulRazaq administration to set Kwara on the path of sustainable growth and development.
At the launch were the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning Prince Clem Ikanade Agba; Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters Dr. Sarah Alade; Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business Dr. Jumoke Oduwoye; Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDG Princess Adejoke Adefulire; state cabinet members; representative of the Emir of Ilorin and Olofa of Offa Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II; Olusin of Ijara Isin Oba Ajibola Ademola Julius; Balogun Gambari of Ilorin Alhaji Adebayo Aliyu and civic groups.
Speaking at the launch of the document in Ilorin, the state capital, the Governor said: “In January this year, we unveiled a five-year agricultural transformation plan which revolves around our comparative advantage as a state with vast arable land. That agribusiness plan was the first of its kind in our state in many years. However, it was just a standalone, one-sector-specific plan.
“Today, we are launching a 10-year sustainable development plan (SDP: 2021-2030) upon which hangs everything we need to do to place Kwara on the path of inclusive and sustainable growth,” he said.
“Kwara State had its first development plan in 1970 and it ran for five years. The second development plan ran between 1975 and 1980. This Sustainable Development Plan is the third of such comprehensive Kwara-specific blueprint which plans for the future of the state.
Minister of State for Budget and National Planning Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, who was the chief launcher of the document, said the Kwara plan aligns with the national strategy to tackle various developmental challenges and commended the state government for being one of the few states to have come up with such a robust roadmap.
Agba said the five-year national development plan (2021-2025) would require about N350tr to execute.
He said: “I am pleased to note that Kwara State has indeed become one of the first States to do this as the Plan being launched today is sufficiently aligned with the National Development Plan, 2021-2025 and indeed Nigeria Agenda 2050. The Kwara State Sustainable Development Plan, just like the National Development Plan, focuses on developing critical infrastructure, strengthening institutions of governance, developing human capital, addressing security challenges and leveraging on the power of the private sector as pivot of development.
Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Mrs. Claire Hensaw said the plan is a vital tool for decision making and resources allocation.
While emphasising that element of people is one of the five pillars of the SDGs, Hensaw declared that the UNDP is committed to supporting innovative leadership that is focused on developing its human capital to strengthen social change.
Dr Sarah Alade, who commended the Governor for the fine effort, said the Kwara plan aligns with the national document and urged the administration and other states to invest more on human capital development and infrastructure to attract more investors.
“Human capital development, as prioritised in the state’s SDP, is commendable. It is tested and effective rule to drive competitiveness that will transform the state to the front row economically,” she said.
Adefilure said the concept demonstrates the government’s zeal to attain greater heights come 2030, adding such a plan is one of the few ones at subnational levels that Nigeria can boast of.
“This is, indeed, gladdening and a step in the right direction for a prosperous Kwara State. We are proud to be associated with this process and your achievements in this respect,” she added.
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