By Dipo Olowookere
The Nigerian government has said it would establish not less than six delivery units called focus labs in ministries to tackle the challenges faced by investors in the implementation of this government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).
Minister of Budget and National Planning, Mr Udoma Udo Udoma, made this disclosure on Monday after the ERGP Central Steering Committee presided over by the Vice President, Mr Yemi Osinbajo.
While addressing newsmen, the Minister said the delivery units would be set up in the agriculture, transportation, industry, trade and investment, mines and steel development and power, works and housing ministries.
“Those delivery units will continue with problem solving and critical challenges faced by investors in all those sectors.
“It was agreed that the overall philosophy of the focus labs should be continued as the federal government is committed to sponsor a few more mini focus labs to tackle key issues faced by investors.
“So, the focus lab concept is a continuing concept which we are working on and we will do more mini focus labs,” Mr Udoma informed State House Correspondents.
He added that the steering committee also agreed to establish a special office within Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to focus on the Cotton, Textile and Garment, CTG, industry.
“The modalities for that office, which will focus on CTG, is being worked out by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment,” he said.
Mr Udoma disclosed that it was further agreed that, “The meeting agreed to redouble its effort at engaging and communicating our single and coherent vision for the power sector working with the private sector.
“It appears that the overall roadmap and impact of several initiatives that the FG is working on is not fully understood.
“So, we agreed to communicate this single roadmap to the general public.”
Adedapo Adesanya