Planning, bane of Nigeria’s development, says Abah

Absence of quality, implementable plans has been identified as the bane of Nigeria’s development and not non-implementation of policies, often adduced by commentators on national issues.

Country Director, Development Alternatives Inc., Dr. Joe Abah said this at the 2018 edition of Niger Delta Development Forum (NDDF) organised by Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in Niger Delta (PIND) and the Market Development in the Niger Delta (MADE), held in Edo and Rivers.

Abah, a former Director-General, Bureau of Public Service Reforms, noted that Nigerians often underplay the role of good plans in enhancing economic development, believing that the absence of political will to drive implementation is the biggest hindrance.

He said: “There are four types of plans. The first is the one I call for donors by donors, written by donors for donor support, with no government support and link to the budget.

The second is advocacy plan, which is how things should be: 20 children to one teacher, all our roads must be paved, etc.

“The third type of plan is ‘God forbid plan,’ while the fourth is the beautiful plan, which in theory is supposed to transform a state into Dubai or Singapore overnight, regardless of availability of resources.”

He advised that plans developed by state governments should have mechanisms to ensure implementation.
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