Kaduna Assembly Scraps Ministry of Economic Planning

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By; JULIANA  KATUNG, Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government has scrapped the name of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and replaced it with State Planning and Budget Commission.
This followed the passage of a bill for a law to establish the Kaduna State Planning and Budget Commission, 2017 by the Kaduna State House of Assembly.
The law cited as the Kaduna State Planning and Budget Commission 2017 is geared towards establishing the Kaduna State Planning and Budget Commission to replace the Ministry of Budget and Planning as well as provide for its functions, composition and structure.
The commission according to the law, shall be a corporate body with perpetual succession and a common seal and may sue and be sued in its corporate name.
According to the law, the commission’s function is to perform all the functions relating to planning and budget, advice and support government in the formulation of economic policy as well as prepare and review annual and multi-year budgets for the state.
It’s function also includes monitoring and evaluating state development plans and the performance of ministries, departments and agencies among others.
The commission in the discharge of its duties under the law shall demand for, and obtain from any government agency or other private bodies, statistical or other information relevant to the function of the commission under the law.
It is to bring to the attention of the State Executive Council cases of non-compliance or violation of state policies and programmes by ministries, departments and agencies as well as advice the governor the appropriate measures to be undertaken by appropriate agencies in order to ensure their conformity with state policies or programmes among others.
The commission shall consist of, the Commissioner of Planning and Budget as chairman; the Commissioner of Finance; the Attorney-General and commissioner for Justice, Commissioner of Local Government, Education, Health; Works, Housing and Transport; Rural and Community Development.
Also, the chairman of Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service as member, Executive Secretary, Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency and the Permanent Secretary to the commission shall serve as the secretary and member of the commission respectively.
The law also stipulates that the commission shall establish departments and units as may be considered necessary for the effective performance of its functions.
According to to the law, the commission would appoint, promote, discipline all officers of the commission including the determination of conditions of service of its staff and employees.
Speaking with Assembly correspondents shortly after the passage of the bill, the House Committee Chairman on Information, Shadalafiya  said the purpose of the law was to remove and change the old name budget and planning.
Shadalafiya said this is extended to the local government to have synergy and continuity.
According to him. Whatever programme is coming up by the pinch of a hand you will know what is in Ikara, Kubau, and what is in Kaduna North and South that would give the actual benefit of planning and budgeting.
He said the ministry is not going to have just a commissioner but the position of the director general would serve as the chairman board of economic planing.

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