Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum has inaugurated an advisory committee on governance and development (ACGD) for the implementation of a 25-year development plan.
According to him, the 11-member committee is to create people’s inclusiveness and opportunities in their affairs and destinies in the state.
Inaugurating the Amb. Usman Sarki panel yesterday (Sunday) in Maiduguri, he said: “Peace and security are critical to the development of any society.”
He noted that the security of people’s lives and property should be sustained in the development process of Borno.
“We’re innovating and looking for different options and strategies to enable us leverage on both human and capital resources,” he said, stating that this is to perform the tasks of governance effectively,” as well as efficiently in the various sectors of the economy.
Besides, he added: “We are desirous of making the state a destination for business, investments and other development partners from across the globe.
He noted that they will foster the ease of doing business and in accordance with the supremacy of the rule of law.
Continued: “Developing the capacity of the people could be accelerated and become more productive and adapt to better changes in economic technical arenas,” stressing that that is his immediate priority on governance and development.
He listed the programmes of priority to include skills acquisition, gender youth empowerment and capacity building across various socioeconomic sectors.
According to him, they will entail efficiency and productivity in a competitive world; where the knowledge economy has become the norm.
He therefore called on the executive, legislature, local governments, ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to cooperate with the committee, while discharging its terms of reference.
The committee members are to advise the State Government on governance and development issues that could fast track the resilience and development of Borno.
Other terms of reference comprise the exploration of potentials at the national and global levels, including opportunities from the organised private sector (OPS).
“You’re to also advise the government on how to strengthen institutions to improve efficiency and seek opportunities for climate action and environmental protection,” he added.
According to him, the committee will explore local and international opportunities to attract investors to the state.
Responding, Amb. Sarki said that the Governor’s determination to transform Borno State was to make it first class in Nigeria.
“To achieve this many important factors are required to be in place,” he said, including the enhancements of the quality and capacity of the State’s Civil Service in formulating and implementation of policies and programmes.
He noted that the implementation of the development plan may not be achieved without efficiency, commitment and professional civil service.
According to him, the civil service is indispensable towards achieving the administration’s transformation agenda.
He therefore assured that the committee will provide the necessary advice towards enhancing the capacity of the civil service to become the vehicle to transform Borno.
“Without workers’ commitments and efficiencies the implementation of policies and programmes will not be achieved,” he warned.
“Our task is to make the state competitive and attractive for businesses, trade and investors,” he said, as the committee will support the state to become an agricultural hub of West Africa by virtue of its location and resources.
