KDSG Reviews Local Government Development Plan for Greater Synergy, Collaboration among Stakeholders
By: Femi Mustapha
Kaduna State Government has organized a technical session for the review of Local Government Development Plans (LGDPs) to ensure greater synergy and collaboration between the State and LGAs through aligning policy priorities and budget implementation for inclusive development in the State.
The workshop was held in Zaria, today, with the theme:Aligning the Local Government Development Plans with the State Development Plan (SDP)/SUSTAIN Agenda of the new administration.
The workshop which is two batches of the 23 LGAs of the State, including civil society representatives was organized by the Ministry for Local Government Affairs in collaboration with the State Planning and Budget Commission with support from Partnership to Engage Reform and Learn PERL, LAFIYA and Save The Children International.
The objectives of the workshop were to understand and establish the needed policy alignment between the State and LGAs; strengthen the capacity of the key actors on policy-budget linkages; and identify recommendations and the next step for the timely finalization of the LGDPs.
In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Local Government Affairs, Dr. Mahmud Lawal said the Workshop on the review and alignment of the Local Government Development Plan (LGDP) is in line with the SUSTAIN manifesto of the present administration of Governor Uba Sani.

According to him, reviewing and aligning the LGDP to the SUSTAIN manifesto is crucial as Local Governments are expected to support the attainment of the State Development Plan, Moreso as the policy direction and commitment of the present administration is “Rural Transformation”.
“You may recall that a template was developed by the Planning and Budget Commission outlining the seven (7) SUSTAIN pillars and their respective focus areas, while activities within the mandate of the Local Governments that support attainment of the focus areas are expected to have been identified.”
“The template was provided to guide the review of the LGDP. It is therefore hoped that all Sectorial Heads in your respective Councils have been engaged in bringing out these activities.”
“It is imperative to understand that Local Government Development Strategy will be the entry point and constant reference for making Government open and empowering citizens to judge the present administration based on its performance.”
“To this end, therefore, articulating strategies and the specific actions necessary to achieve promises outlined in the campaign agenda of the present administration is very crucial.”
“The reviewed LGDP is expected to outline the shared vision the government desires to achieve in the next 5 years, how citizens’ lives would be transformed, transform the State’s economy, and strengthen the model of governance at the grassroots.”
“It is also important to note that annual estimates of Local Government Councils are majorly sourced from the Development Plan. This calls for engagement with key stakeholders within the Local Governments to have an all-encompassing reviewed Local Government Development Plan.”
“I wish to sincerely appreciate the support being provided by PERL – ARC and ECP, LAFIYA Program, and Save the Children. The facilitation being provided by the Planning and Budget Commission is deeply appreciated. The Ministry would continue to support the strengthening of the Local Governments for improved service delivery.”
” I also wish to appreciate the presence of Civil Society Organisations and their valuable contributions over the years. I commend the Local Government participants’ sense of commitment, and formerly welcome you all to this Workshop. I wish you successful deliberations.”