he CRS Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, supported by the UNICEF Chief Field Officer, Enugu, Juliet Chiluwe, unveils the SDP on Thursday. while the Health Commissioner, Dr Henry Ayuk (3rd R) and others look on.
By Anietie Akpan
Cross River state government has formulated a holistic and comprehensive State Development Plan (SDP) spanning 2024 to 2033 to meet the aspirations of the people of the state.
The state government packaged the nine years SDP in conjunction with the United Nations Children’s Fund Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and others as development partners.
While unveiling the SDP on Thursday in Calabar, the state governor, Senator Bassey Otu, said “the state development plan is a long term development transformation blueprint with the vision of making Cross River state thriving, inclusive and sustainable economy by 2033”.
Governor Otu who was represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, pointed out that “the high incident of poverty, unemployment, infrastructural deficit and other forms of human deprivation have acted as hindrance on state development in the past. This indices are worrisome, hence the need to formulate strategies and measures to address this trend”.
He said, the “holistic and comprehensive development plan spanning 2024 to 2033…is unique in the sense that it aligns with national and global looks of the human capital development vision of 2030 and the SDG. It is expected that the SDP will effectively provide the roadmap for driving sustainable development.
“As a government our administration is committed to formulating people oriented policies and programs that will promote better living conditions for the citizens”.
In a goodwill message, the UNICEF Chief Field Officer, Enugu, Juliet Chiluwe commended the robust consultations that led to the elaboration of this plan, saying, “we are convinced that the implementation would be more robust and inclusive.
“We are sure this plan would set the state on the path to achieving its vision of a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable economy promoted by good governance to foster human dignity in a clean and green environment. We are positive that the development plan if adequately implemented will enhance the sustainable development efforts of the state”.
She gave the assurance that “as UNICEF, we are prepared to continue supporting the state towards the achievement of the strategic results of the SDP and other national and global priorities, as we are committed to strengthen the already existing collaboration with the good people of Cross River state”.
Delivering his welcome address, the Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of State Planning Commission (SPC), Dr Bong Duke, stated that the SDP aimed at, “enhancing governance through accountability, transparency, effective and efficient public service delivery, improving the economy by strengthening agriculture, tourism, solid minerals, manufacturing and service industries, promoting a clean and green environment for the present and future generations and to foster equitable human dignity.
“It is also geared towards reinforcement of Social Protection for the improvement of the welfare of Vulnerable Persons while enabling marginalized and vulnerable groups to enjoy basic quality services that will add credence to the development process at the grassroots”.
Duke said, the implementation of the SDP will enable the government to fulfil its role in integrating market elements, mobilize domestic and external resources, attitudinal and psychological mobilization of the people towards the development of the state in a decentralized manner.
Kingsly Ndem Eyibio, a Director in the SPC who has just been appointed a Permanent Secretary, rolled out an overview of the SDP showing the road map, implementation strategies and others
