The Federal Government on Thursday emphasized the need for non-state actors to complement its efforts in national and economic development saying it cannot bear the burden alone.
The government specifically admitted that it was facing enormous challenges and revenue deficit which has compelled it to manage to pay salaries.
The Minister of Budget and National Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, represented by the Director (International Cooperation), Dr. Sampson Ebimaro, stated these in Abuja during the 30th Annual Development Forum organised by Life Above Poverty Alleviation in Abuja with the theme, “The role of non-state actors in national development: A case study of LAPO.”
Our correspondent obtained that the event was also attended by a former acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr Sarah Alade; a political scientist and lecturer in the Department of Political Science, Federal University, Otuoke, Dr Felix Oriakhi; and Founder/CEO, LAPO Group, Dr Godwin Ehigiamusoe.d a full-time staff of 10,212, these institutions and others within the LAPO system have made immense contributions to national development. This paper is expected to highlight the over N1.2 trillion LAPO Microfinance Bank has contributed to female owners of micro and small businesses.”
The Minister said since the United Nations was very careful in crafting the name, of non-state actors, he would prefer to use the name Non-Governmental Organisations because NSAs could be gorilla or terrorist groups.
“Essentially, NGOs existing cover the space not covered by the government by seeking propositions on issues such as health care, environment, economy, public policy, empowerment and support to vulnerable citizens. The policy objective of government is very critical for both state and non-state actors like the NGOs.“
The role of NGOs is to work with the government through its national development plan. The chairman has already mentioned and talked about our national development plan for 2021 – 2025. In doing that, the actors have to be very inclusive in the sense that it has to be non-selective and non-discriminatory and you must stick to the overall needs of various areas of the society.
“Government faces enormous challenge especially now, the government is facing revenue deficit. There’s no money anywhere in the country, the government is just managing to pay salaries. The growth rate is very slow and the population growth is fast pacing and increasing. unemployment is surging amid high inflation.
These are issues which non-governmental organisations must take on board in helping government to cover the space government could not cover,” he noted.
