Political stakeholders have called on Nigerians to play significant roles in government’s efforts at fast tracking developmental drive and equity.

  They told newsmen on Thursday in Abuja, that though governments at all levels were trying their best to ensure development and equity, individuals also had some roles to play.

“Individuals have to see themselves as potential foot soldiers that can make a change which will ensure development.

Prof. Angela Miri, Plataeu State Commissioner for Education, while contributing to the issue, said: “It is not how big our contributions are but how committed we are to make a change towards development.’ ’ 

She spoke on the background of a workshop aimed at achieving growth, development and equity in the country.

It was organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).

Miri, however, suggested periodic meetings of Secretaries to State Governments (SSGs) and state commissioners in the same zone, adding that such gathering would fast track development and equity in the country.

She said there was a need for a legal and institutional frame work to be put in place, to ensure the continuity of government policies and programmes. She said it would forestall a situation where good government policies and programmes were discarded after the exit of those  who initiated them. Others who spoke, however, said all that was needed to ensure development and equity in the country was the right political will to implement developmental policies, as the country was not lacking policy or ideas.

Another stakeholder, Henry Dike, said:“Achieving development and equity in the country may remain a mirage without the right political will to implement government programmes and policies. “This is because the country has different ideas and policies as well as committee reports on developmental issues which had been formulated over time. “All that is needed is the right political will to turn such ideas and committee reports into practicable action that will benefit the common man, ’’ he said.

He said it was regrettable that most committee reports were often left on the shelve to gather dust, inspite of government huge financial investments on them.