Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State on Thursday pledged that his administration would key into the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan in its 2014 budget and beyond.
Speaking at the zonal validation workshop on the draft NIIMP organised by the National Planning Commission for the South-East Zone, Chime described the master plan as “ambitious and realisable.”
The governor said it would guarantee efficient infrastructural development in the country.
Represented by his deputy, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, Chime called on other governors from the South-East to embrace the plan.
He said, “The NIIMP is ambitious and realisable too. It challenges all stakeholders to intensify their efforts in infrastructure development. Given the nature of infrastructure, which cuts across the jurisdiction of all tiers of governments, the NIIMP envisages an increased investment by both the federal and sub-national governments.
“It also requires significant input of the private sector and international development partners. Now that we have the NIIMP, we will lend ourselves to its guidance in the selection and prioritisation of projects for implementation in the 2014 budget and beyond.”
The Minister of National Planning, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, who presented the NIIMP draft, said the plan would help address challenges in the infrastructure sector.
The minister said the 30-year plan would require both short and medium-term actions as well as improve the education, transport, energy, agricultural and housing sectors in the country.
Represented by the Director of Infrastructure in the commission, Mr. Olugbenga Adegun, Usman said the plan would have legal backing by the National Assembly.
He said, “This master plan is to address challenges in infrastructure. We have enhanced economic growth by virtue of the creation of this plan. That is what we expect.
“We are trying to put in legislation through the help and support of the National Assembly to ensure continuity in the implementation of this plan.”