The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udo-Udoma, says the Federal Government will use the 2016 Budget to improve quality of life of Nigerians.
Udo-Udoma made this known on Friday at the inauguration of the 2016 Human Security and Human Development Report (HSDR) for Nigeria presented by the UN Development Programme (UNDP).
“As a result of the insurgency, we have a large number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North East region.
“And we are working on various measures to restore normalcy to the area and ensure that the displaced persons return to their homes.
“The Victims Support Fund and the Special Intervention Fund of N500 billion under the current budget are amongst measures we are taking to improve the quality of life of our people.
“As you know, 2016 Budget of Change aims principally at reflecting and repositioning the Nigerian economy and addressing the challenges that have placed millions of Nigerians in positions of lack, deprivation and low human security levels.’’
Udo-Udoma said government had begun to address some of the key recommendations in the report.
The minister said that the 2016 Budget would focus on improving infrastructure and creating the environment that would enable Nigerians to engage in productive work.
He said that the current administration was focusing on agriculture and solid mineral to diversify the economy from crude oil.
“We are optimistic that the effective implementation of the budget of Change will make more resources available to address areas of critical needs to improve human security and human development indices.
“In addition, the support we have received which I acknowledged from the international community reassures us that we will attain our development goals.’’
In his presentation on the HSDR, UNDP’s Economic Advisor, Mr Ojijo Odhiambo listed some of the key messages in the report as a low human development index for Nigeria.
Others, he said, bordered on economic empowerment of citizens; role of scientific discoveries, new technologies, political will and the human security connection.
He further listed job security perception; gender differentials, food security perception, case for holistic and people-oriented growth, and case for health sector improvement and community belongings.
Odhiambo, however, advised Nigeria to make its growth holistic and people-centred.
He said Nigeria should invest in key sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing to improve on human development.
He also advised the Federal Government to place high premium on the role of science and technology and show more commitment to address the security challenges.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of Nigeria’s 7th National Human Development Report was “ Human Security and Human Development.’’