In July 2012, the Federal Government directed the National Planning Commission to coordinate the preparation of a National Integrated Infrastructure Master plan (NIIMP) for the country.

The plan that is expected to be implemented between 2014 and 2043 is designed to address developmental issues, including the lack of linkages in the infrastructure sector.

The masterplan, according to the federal government, is expected to be funded by the federal and state governments as well as the private sector.

The National Planning Commission said that N464 trillion would be required to implement the plan through a five-year operational plan and 10-year strategic plan for 30 years.

Experts in the sector have, therefore, viewed the plan as a vital tool for national development, targeted at harmonising infrastructure for effective management.

But they also expressed concern that the plan would be sustained and implemented effectively if the utility of geospatial data were taken into cognisance by major actors involved in its implementation.

At a recent meeting of the Joint Planning Board and National Council on Development Planning in Uyo, discussions centred on ensuring the inclusion of all elements that could guarantee its effective implementation.

With the theme “Imperative of Strategic Planning as a Framework for Effective Policy Formation and Implementation for Nigeria’s Transformation’’, the meeting provided opportunity for stakeholders to share thoughts on the importance of the plan to transformation process.

Head, Geographic Information System in the National Planning Commission, Mr Ademola Adeyemi, called on ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to devote 10 per cent of their annual budgetary allocation to geospatial data development.

He defined geospatial data as the data or information that identifies the geographic location of boundaries on earth such as natural or artificial features, oceans, among others.

“The functions and relevance of the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation and the National Space Research and Development Agency are crucial to the success of NIIMP.

“The issue of collaboration and cooperation among MDAs with respect to utilisation of geospatial data is essential for NIIMP to be implanted properly,’’ he said.

Secretary, National Planning Commission, Mr Fidelis Ugbo, urged permanent secretaries in the state planning commissions to be involved in the implementation of the plan.

He also urged state governments to ensure that their annual budgets and medium term plans were aligned with priorities of the plan with effect from the 2014 budget.

He said that the purpose of developing the NIIMP was to fill the existing infrastructure gaps in the country.

Managing Director, Infrastructure Bank Plc, Mr Abdulrasaq Oyinloye, called for the revamping of infrastructure in the country, adding that accelerated growth path would be needed to revamp infrastructure in Nigeria.

“This has been successfully implemented by China and Vietnam which followed the accelerated growth development path.

“Nigeria could do the same with annual spending on infrastructure amounting to 25 billion dollars for the next five years, and getting to about 200 billion dollars by 2040.

“Even if a linear growth path is followed, the average annual spending for the next five years would be a minimum 18 billion dollars, rising to 230 billion dollars by 2040,’’ he noted.

Oyinloye stressed the need to spend approximately 2.9 trillion dollars on infrastructure for the next 30 years to bridge the gap between Nigeria and the developed countries.

Citing some challenges, Mrs Arit Ibanga, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Development, Akwa Ibom, said that dwindling revenue due to oil theft in the Niger Delta had severe implications on the nation’s development planning processes.

“The outcome of the current review of the revenue formula, the national dialogue and the ongoing constitution review will severely impact on our planning processes.

Abdulwahab writes for News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Deji Abdulwahab