The Federal Government, the 36 states government and donor partners are to spend N1 billion on the compilation of the Gross Domestic Products for the states in the federation by 2014.
The Supervising Minister for National Planning, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, made the remark at the 2014 National Conference of Directors of Planning, Research and Statistics in the public service in Minna, Niger State.
Yuguda said six states – Niger, Anambra, Cross Rivers, Gombe, Lagos and Kano – are involved in the pilot project.
He said the Federal Government is expected to contribute N323 million, representing 30 per cent; the 36 states, including the FCT, contributing N522 million, representing 50 per cent of the cost; and the donor partners, contributing N208 million, representing 20 per cent of the balance.
Yuguda said: “The first phase for the six pilot states GDP had been concluded awaiting the validation of the report, while efforts for the second phase expected to end by December this year is presently under ways by the commission.
“The GDP survey is categorized in three parts, agricultural sector, industrial sector and the service sector and that 243 staff were deployed for the phase of the project with 2,239 establishments visited during the survey.”
Yuguda added that the survey of Niger State shows that the state economy was diversifying with the industrial and service sectors witnessing a surge, while the agricultural sector remains the dominant player, engaging more than 60 per cent of the population.
He then recommended that the state invests in mechanised farming technology in a bid to improve food production, irrigation services as well as good investment in the tourism sector to harness the potentials of the sector.
Responding, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State appealed to the Federal Government to actualize the plan of the Minna-Abuja rail line, the Minna Airport Cargo Terminal, Suleja infrastructural facilities and the approval of export processing zones in Baro, Minna.
He also appealed to Nigerians to be united in the fight against insurgency, while a three months dateline should be set for any collaboration between the country and any foreign country in dealing with the scourge.
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