Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja
The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, has tasked the Nigerian Institute for Social and Economic Research (NISER) to make its research demand-driven and guided by the objectives of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).
He à lso charged the agency to consistently generate credible knowledge through quality research, specialised training and consultancy services to aid national development.
Udoma, who gave the charge at a retreat organised by the institute, in Ogere, Ogun State said it must ensure that its research outcomes have practical relevance to government policy decisions and development programmes.
According a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Mr. Akpandem James, the minister reminded participants that NISER was set up to be the premier think-tank economic research Institute for Nigeria and therefore was expected to consistently generate credible knowledge through quality research, conduct specialised training and consultancy services while interacting with relevant segments of the society in the task of national development.
X-raying the economic challenges of the country, Udoma reminded NISER that it has an important role to play in the actualisation of core government programmes like the ERGP, which aims to stop the continuing decline of the country’s economic fortunes, reverse the downward spiral of the economy and move Nigeria out of recession.
The minister said the ERGP promises a rapidly growing economy with diversified sources of growth, increased opportunities and a socially inclusive economy that reduces poverty and creates jobs.
Noting that the implementation of the policy initiatives outlined in the ERGP had started yielding results as evident in the economy exiting recession in the second quarter of 2017, he pointed out that a lot needed to be done to sustain the tempo of recovery, by rapidly growing the economy.
To assist in the growth, the minister said NISER’s research must be demand-driven and guided by the objectives of the plan.
“This could be done by deepening its collaboration with the Ministry of Budget and National Planning and ensuring that its research activities relates with the planning focus of the ministry and development needs of government ” he said.
