In line with the need to improve upon Anambra State’s debt management in which the state came in second position nationwide, Mr. Mark Okoye, the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Budget, and Development Partners has said that the state is already working hard to that effect.
He made this known during a stakeholder Consultative Forum on the 2021 annual budget which held in Awka recently.
The program which was driven by the Ministry of Economic Planning attracted participants from the Civil Society Organizations, representatives from Anambra State Association of Town Unions, Ministries, and Development Partners among others.
Mr. Okoye who addressed the participants stressed the need for the diversification of the economy, together with the need to focus on strategic collaborations especially public-private partnerships which according to him has created over two hundred jobs in the state during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also noted that in terms of debt management, the state ranked second nationwide.
On her part, Professor Kate Omenugha, the Commissioner For Basic Education, who gave an overview of basic things needed in the Education sector, she called on the Budget Planning Committee to channel its education funding towards COVID -19 related issues with regards to infrastructure.
According to her, education funds should consider capacity building and training for teachers, toilet facilities, boreholes, and more classrooms. In addition, she stated that the Ministry is considering the creation of four to five model schools which would serve as a template for other schools in the state.
The Chairman, Anambra State Civil Society Network, Prince Chris Azor on his part, commended the state for collaborating with civil societies, averring that such synergy brings about efficiency in problem-solving.
Also at the forum were the National Secretary, Anambra State Association of Town Unions, Chief Nkala Iyke, and Mrs. Josephine Onah of ROLac who commended the state government for giving everyone a voice in its development agenda adding that this practice will yield great benefits for the state.
InlandTown! 2020
