NEC Secretariat, State Liaison Officers reinforce partnership to enhance Council’s Mandate

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Deborah Odoh, has reiterated the need for National Economic Council (NEC) Secretariat and State government’s robust collaboration to enhance NEC Council’s mandate in order to achieve Nigeria’s development goals.

She gave this charge during a two-day strategic retreat for State Liaison Officers and Officers of the NEC Secretariat themed “Collaboration and Upskilling for Productivity and National Development” held in Abuja today.

Dr. Odoh who was represented by the Director, Press and Public Relations Department of the Ministry, Mrs. Julie Osagie-Jacobs informed Participants that the National Economic Council led by the Vice President of the Federation, Sen. Kashim Shettima functions as a key platform for consultation and coordination on the federation’s economic issues, whose primary role is to advise the President on economic issues, especially in coordinating economic planning and programmes aimed at national development.

She described the roles of the NEC Secretariat and States’ Liaison officers as facilitator of intergovernmental cooperation which assist in the prompt transmission of information, coordinates responses to Council requests, oversees the implementation of Council resolutions among others.

She continued that to successfully achieve the NEC Mandate, institutional mechanisms that supports communication, coordination, information sharing and follow-up between meetings must be strengthened; this also reinforces the role of the State Liaison officers.

While giving her welcome address, the Director, Special Duties Department of the Ministry, Dr. Gloria Ahmed charged Participants to approach each session with open minds, positive attitudes and a collective determination to translate the lessons learnt into practical actions that will enhance productivity and contribute to the overall development of the NEC Secretariat and the nation at large.