Governor Umo Eno has attributed the lack of continuity in policy implementation by successive administrations in Nigeria to policy summersaults, which he believes have posed a significant challenge to national growth and development.
He made these remarks during a courtesy call by participants of the Senior Executive Course 45, 2023 from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) at the Government House in Uyo.
Governor Eno emphasized that policy continuity and the pursuit of a national agenda are crucial factors for the prosperity of nations. He urged the institute to consider the failure of successive administrations in Nigeria to implement the policies of their predecessors as a crucial area of research, as it directly impacts the country’s development.
Represented by his Deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, Governor Eno acknowledged the efforts of NIPSS as a leading policy formulation center and highlighted the disconnect between policy formulation and implementation in the country. He stressed the importance of policies that lead to holistic, sustainable national development, veritable economic growth, and an improved standard of living for the people.
The governor assured the participants that the present government in Akwa Ibom State is committed to addressing challenges such as rural-urban drift through aggressive rural development, job creation, and youth empowerment with relevant skills. He emphasized the significance of achieving food sufficiency, revitalizing the healthcare system, focusing on the education sector, and ensuring the protection of lives and property.
Governor Eno expressed the state government’s willingness to welcome ideas from individuals and institutions like NIPSS, highlighting the importance of teamwork and partnership to achieve desired results in the state’s development and for the well-being of its people.
The leader of the visiting team and Director of Research at NIPSS, Professor Dung Pam Sha, stated that as the country’s foremost think-tank, the institution aims to develop top-class technocrats capable of conceptualizing and tracking the implementation of innovative and dynamic policies critical for national development.
Under the theme “Industrialisation, Energy, Security, and Climate Change,” the team will prepare a comprehensive report at the end of their visit. Professor Sha appealed to the state government to send representatives to witness the report’s presentation in November of this year, fostering collaboration between the state government and NIPSS in the pursuit of effective policy implementation and national development.
