12th July, 2015
The National Planning Commission (NPC) has stated that the Transformation Agenda did not belong to any political party, noting that, President Muhammadu Buhari should continue the past administration’s Transformation Agenda.
The Head of Information of NPC, Mr Salisu Badamasi, told NAN on Sunday that the Transformation Agenda was an aspect of the Vision 20:2020.
NAN reports that the Transformation Agenda was popularly identified with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration of immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan.
Badamasi, however, said that when Jonathan came into office, he identified the Vision 20:2020 and focused on them.
He said that the four areas of focus of the Transformation Agenda were governance, human capital development, infrastructure and real sector.
According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration will also continue to implement the master plan for Nigeria’s economic development.
He added that “the Agenda is based on and draws its inspiration from the Vision 20:2020 and has three National Implementation Plan (NIP) arrangements.
“The First NIP, which was from 2010 to 2013, had been implemented and reviewed by the commission and stakeholders.
“It was aimed at bridging the infrastructure gap in the country and optimise the sources of economic growth to increase productivity and competitiveness.
“It focused on knowledge-based economy to deepen the technology base of the country, improve governance, security, law and order.
“Also, it fostered accelerated, sustainable social and economic development in a competitive business environment.”
The NPC spokesman further explained that the second plan, which started in 2014, would be ending in 2017, while the third phase of the Plan would be between 2018 and 2020.
Badamasi said that the NIP was generally based on a set of priority policies and programmes, which when implemented, would transform the Nigerian economy to meet the future needs of the Nigerian people.
He also explained that the Plan captured all the development agenda of the country, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The official pointed out that the Vision 20:2020 defined and articulated the collective aspirations of the Nigerian people to become one of the top 20 economies in the world by the year 2020.
“At the strategic level, it seeks to focus on, mobilise and coordinate the optimal application of Nigeria’s human and financial resources.
“It focuses on human and financial resources toward the singular goal of providing accelerated human security, economic growth and social development in the country.
“While opinions may vary regarding Nigeria’s ability to achieve these goals, most statistical indicators remain positive that vision 20:2020 is achievable.”
NAN reports that NPC as the agency of Federal Government is saddled with the responsibility of developing the Vision 20:2020.
The Commission has the statutory responsibility of coordinating social and economic development policies of the country.