MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC PLANNING

Hon. Commissioner John Bezard

The Ministry of Economic Planning was created out of the ministry of finance and Economic Planning from which a Kaduna state planning commission was created in 1997 and which eventually metamorphosed into a full-fledged ministry of Economic Planning in June, 1999.  The creation of the new ministry was informed by the emphasis the in-coming Administration intended to give to project implementation through sound financial management

Between 1999 and today, the Ministry has updated and printed a detailed 1991 Population Census. Figures according to Local Government, District, village and locally.  This has proven to be an immensely useful planning tool in assistant for all the 23 LGA’s in the State and has provided them with basic statistical tools. Gov Namadi Sambo vision for the state has elated the Ministry to leap forward with tools of economic empowerment to the people.

The ministry, being a controlling ministry coordinates the activities of all agencies of the State Government and provides supportive services to federal agencies having to do development business with the state. When the ministry came into being its first task was to review the 1999 Budget to produce the States 1^st Supplementary Budget tagged “The People’s Budget” In this budget, at least one capital project was sited in each electoral constituency in the state. As the fortunes of the state improved, the ministry proceeded to produce a 2^nd supplementary budget in 1999.

In all , the ministry has achieved the following success since inception:- It has helped to perfect financial operations in the system leading to tighter control of  resources and careful spending of the scarce resources available . This has enabled the state to pay  salaries , passions gratuities  and contract bills as and when due. The tight budgetary procedures introduced have lightened the level of budget discipline in the state and this has facilitated the implementation of the numerous projects and programme s by this administration.

As the development promoter of the state, the Ministry analysis and assesses investment  proposals sent to the State by local and international investors and business promotions. The ministry, being in charge of the State Community Empowerment  Programme (SCEP) has provided job opportunity to thousands  of youths across the state. The scheme is being re-organized to impart skills and provide permanent sources of livelihood to the youths in the state . In conjunction with the UNDP, the ministry is  supporting the establishment of 12 community skills development centers to back up the training being provided by BATC’s  in the state.

Economic Climate: With each of the six successive administrations since the early 1960s, the economic climate of the country, and that of Kaduna State in particular, got worse. However, gradual political re-organisation and a return to democratic rule have been calming the stormy economic climate.

Also, all the three tiers of government (LGAs, State and Federal), have adopted the policy of pursuing vigorous diversification of the economy. Thus, efforts are now being made to ensure healthy economic environment through peaceful social and political co-existence within and between States. Specifically, Kaduna State has instituted agencies to cater for the interests of local, national and foreign entrepreneurs/ industrialists.

Mainly, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry arm of the State Government is now charged with the responsibility of maintaining a good economic climate. In order to promote industrial/commercial enterprises, the State Government has put in place several infra structural facilities.

For example, in Kaduna and Zaria, up to seven and four industrial estates, respectively, have been laid out and provided with access roads, water and power. Other incentives include pioneer status scheme for newly established industries in order to survive the initial capital outlay and other related problems

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