Minister of National Planning Commission (NPC), Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman

By James Emejo

The Minister of National Planning Commission (NPC), Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, said the modest improvement in major macro-economic indicators achieved within the last four years would be sustained through an enhanced economic management.

He said the current growth trajectory had been made possible by the effective implementation of the government’s economic agenda as encapsulated in the various development strategies, particularly the implementation of on- going reforms in the various sectors of the economy.

Speaking in Enugu at a meeting of the National Council on Development (NCDP), Usman said the present transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan was a medium-term development strategy to speed up the country’s quest to realise the Vision 20:2020 aspiration to become one of the 20 largest economies by year 2020.

The minister was represented by Secretary of the Commission, Mr. Fidel Ntufam Ugbo.

He said: “This was developed to consolidate on the gains of the reforms of the last decade. The Agenda is anchored on the pillars and specific targets of the Nigeria Vision 20:20. However, as a medium term roadmap for securing a better future, it is targeted at: creating jobs insufficient quantities to resolve the protracted problem of unemployment and reduce poverty; laying of a foundation for robust and inclusive growth within the Nigerian economy; and improving on a sustainable basis, the well- being of all classes of Nigerians regardless of their personal circumstances and location.”