Private sector operators on Monday said Federal Government’s engagement of key stakeholders in the development process of the national economy plan showed a genuine desire to rapidly grow the economy, but pointed out that diligent implementation of the Nigeria Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (NERGP) was key to taking the country out of the prevailing economic crisis.
Captains of industry and heads of the various Chambers of Commerce and Industry across the country, who gathered at the State House in Abuja yesterday for the consultative forum, variously pointed out that past development plans were rendered useless by either lack of, or poor implementation.
They therefore advised that if the NERGP being put together is to achieve the desired objective, deliberate structures must be put in place for diligent implementation, effective monitoring and thorough evaluation.
Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who presided over the session, assured that government is determined to put back the Nigerian economy on a sound footing through diligent implementation of the recovery and growth plan.
While acknowledging that there is suffering in the land occasioned by the current economic downturn, he pointed out that the years of deterioration and corruption cannot be remedied overnight.
Prof Osinbajo said that notwithstanding, it is the responsibility and duty of government to ensure that the economy is put back on a sound footing and the slide in economic fortunes arrested for the benefit of the people and the country.
In the short term, the acting President said government has intervened in several ways to mitigate the sufferings of the people, including giving bailouts to State governments to enable them pay salaries of workers.
Also assuring on government’s determination to diligently implement the Plan, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, said major emphasis will be on implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Plan as government plans to set up a specially staffed Delivery Unit to drive implementation.