From Ayodele Adegbuyi, Ado-Ekiti
The Federal Government on Thursday stressed the need for state government to adopt use of geo-spatial data, in their development planning and decision making activities.
The Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, made this known in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital at the opening of a One-Day workshop on the use of geospatial data, hosted by the State Government.
The Permanent Secretary, Mr Nebeolisa Anako, who was represented by Mrs Mary Effiong Iniwang, Head, GIS Division of the ministry, said geospatial data are information, that supports governments in taking decisions for development.
He said, ” With Geospatial information, government can easily visualize, and take informed decisions on resource allocation, infrastructure development and other developmental matters.
“Government at the Federal level recognises the important role of geospatial data in effective planning and decision making, hence, the need to pass on this knowledge to states, as part of the collaboration between national, and sub-national governments, to promote national development.”, he said.
Continuing, he said, ” Federal Government realised that it has become imperative to carry along State Governments, in the institutionalisation of the use of spatial evidence to support decision making, and visualize data, to support the planning and service delivery of various programmes and projects, especially, under the National Development Plan, (NDP), 2021-2025″.
He disclosed that Federal Government had already adopted the application of Geospatial technology, in it’s of projects, urging other levels of government to follow suit.
“I am glad to mention that Geospatial technology has been applied in some key new innovations of government, such as the Eyemark Project of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, and the School Placement Optimization Tool, (SPOT), developed by the Universal Basic Education Commission, (UBEC),.
“The visualization of the data, using Geospatial technology has led to the objective and efficient allocation of resources, as well as effective monitoring and evaluation of programmes, projects and policies of government.
“To say the fact, the application of Geospatial data in planning and implementation of programmes and projects, towards guaranteeing the wellbeing of Nigerians can not be over-emphasized .
“As such, the new technology device has now become vital,candy central to development efforts globally. It is now an adopted best practice, and an integral part of monitoring and evaluation of government programmes, projects and policies”, he said.
Earlier in a welcome address, the representative of the state government and the Permanent Secretary, Ekiti Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Performance Management, Mr Sola Akinluyi, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government on the campaign, saying it would make Ekiti to be Geospatial compliant.
End.
