Ministry of Planning and Economic Development is one of the departments of Government in the State. The Ministry metamorphosed from the former Kwara State Planning Commission, which was established under the edict No.2 of 1996. It became a full fledge Ministry on 4th June, 2009 as a result of civil service reform by the Kwara State Government.

The Ministry has the statutory responsibilities for inter-governmental cooperation in economic affairs, central economic planning, central statistics and budgeting. The Ministry is divided into five directorates namely: Planning, Statistics, Budget, Finance and Supply, and Personnel Management.  It also has the department of Debt Management Office (DMO) under it.

The Ministry is headed by a Commissioner, supported by Permanent Secretary, Director of Planning, Director FS, Director PM, Director of Budget, Director of DMO and Director Statistics.

Summary of Responsibilities

• Inter-governmental cooperation in economic affairs;
• Central Economic Planning;
• Manpower development;
• Central Statistics office;
• Feasibility studies;
• Consultancy services;
• Budgeting; and
• Debt management.  

Functions of Directorates

Personnel Management, Finance and Supply

• Co-coordinating the administrative activities of the ministry;
• Staff matters, training and retraining, promotion, disciplinary cases, resignation and withdrawal of service;
• Responsible for the general maintenance of offices and equipments;
• Responsible for the procurement of materials; and
• Finance Affairs and Accounts.

Planning Directorate

• Formulation and preparation of State and Local Government development plans within the framework of the national objectives and priorities and transformation of same to the National Planning Commission;
• Prescribing budget ceilings. This is to be done in collaboration with the budget Directorate;
• Coordination of all externally supported programmes in the state;
• Liaising with the National Planning Commission on general economic matters and ensuring attendance at the meetings of the Joint Planning Board, the National Council on Development Planning and National Economic Council;
• To advise the State Chief Executive on areas where the National Planning objectives and priorities are being seriously hampered or violated at the State or Local Government Level;
• To ensure all projects to be funded are streamlined within the State policy thrusts on sectoral basis in line with the Medium Term Sector Strategy (MTSS);
• To monitor, on quarterly basis, projects and progress relating to their implementation. Its monitoring reports would form the basis of capital releases to projects;
• To undertake periodic reviews and appraisal of the manpower resource capabilities of the state with a view to advancing their development, efficiency and effective utilization; and
• To coordinate Conditional Grant Scheme (CGS) fund which is currently domiciled in the office of the Special Adviser Economic Development, Government House.
• To coordinate the activities of all externally supported programmes in the state like UNICEF, World Bank, DFID and ESSPIN.

Statistics Directorate

• Central statistical office for the State warehousing and acting as clearing house for data to be disseminated to other bodies and agencies;
• Collection/collation/updating and analysis of administrative data covering both public and private social economic activities within the state;
• Liaise with National and other external bodies on statistical matters on behalf of the State; and
• Initiate State statistical policies and programmes.

Budget Directorate

The activities of the Budget Directorate boarders mainly on:

• The preparation of the Annual Estimates on Revenue and Expenditure of the State Government in collaboration with relevant MDAs including the Legislature;
• Formulation of Financial Policies as it relates to budgeting;
• Review of the Progress of Budget Implementation including the processing of all variations to the House of Assembly for approval;
• Analysis of Returns on Expenditure/Government Policies, and Financial Implications, Maintenance of Data Bank and Allied Statistics;
• Liaising with the Legislature during the legislative stages of the Financial Appropriation Bill; and
• Ensuring consistency of State Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) and MTSS with the annual budget through issuing of appropriate circulars, setting out broad guidelines for the preparation of the current and capital expenditures of the state.  

Achievements  

There is no ambiguity about the fact that planning is key to most success stories in life. Thus not only wise men, but also wise governments embrace planning not only to ensure its survival now but the realization of future plans.

It is no wonder then that the realization of the truism has earned it a ministerial recognition. Apart from its key status as the compendium of statistical information in government business and profiles, it has also been central to all budget preparation exercises. This ministry has been quite helpful in debt management and positive economic projections at micro and macro levels.

Whether as Economic Planning Commission or the ministry of Planning and Economic Development, it has been central to all sectoral and governmental rapport and cooperation which have engendered development in all ramifications. Since 2003, the ministry or commission, as it was has remained a veritable instrumentality of government by which it maintains and sustains its rapports with governments and organizations locally and internationally.   

Achievement of Budget Directorate

Since the inception of Governor Abubakar Bukola Saraki’s administration in May, 2003, the Budget Department has made significant contribution to the economic development of the state through the formulation and prompt submission of annual budgets to the House of Assembly as provided by the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, while monitoring of budget implementation are done constantly to ensure fiscal discipline and adherence.

The administration also made appropriate estimates when it became imperative to further meet the aspirations of the masses. As part of the State Government’s efforts to see to early and accurate preparation of the budget, E-Budgeting was introduced in the preparation of 2010 budget. Thus, the Governor Bukola Saraki-led administration is highly commended for its fairness as regards equitable distribution of amenities and developmental projects without prejudice.                    

Debt Management Office (DMO) Department  

• To issue, on behalf of the State, such Debt Securities as the State may desire to issue, from time to time;
• To maintain a reliable database of all Debt Securities issued, loans taken or guaranteed by the Government or any of its agencies, and all contingent liabilities related thereto;
• To prepare and submit to the Government, a forecast of loan service obligations for each financial year and the State’s borrowing capacity;
• To prepare and implement a plan for the efficient management of the State’s debt obligations at sustainable levels compatible with desired activities for growth and development, and participate in negotiations aimed at realizing those activities;
• To issue, from time to time, regulations and guidelines for the smooth operation of any Debt Securities issuance programme of the Government;
• To verify and service debts guaranteed or taken directly by the Government;
• To advise the Government on the restructuring and refinancing of all debt obligations;
• To advise on all projects undertaken by the State and propose funding mechanism; and
• To carry out other functions which in its opinion are required for the effective implementation of its functions under this Law, which may be delegated to it by the Governor or by a Law of the House of Assembly.

Achievements of DMO Department

• The DMO department successfully carried a reconciliatory exercise on Paris Club loans that led to the refund of a substantial amount to the state.
• Successfully managing debt portfolio to support cash flow.

Other Achievements

• Production of Kwara State development Priorities and strategies document;
• Conduct top-level advocacy on draft Community Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (CEEDS);
• Actively participated in the processing of application for 2008 Conditional Grant Scheme and Debut Development Bond;
• Participated in the meetings of Joint Planning Board and National Council on Development Planning;
• Capacity building in Planning, Research and Statistics Departments of MDAs under UNICEF and UNDP programme of cooperation;
• Production of monthly Stock Monitor Newsletter;
• Establishment of Kwara State Central Management Information System;
• Establishment of Statistical Training Studio;
• Participated in NDE’S Survey/Registration of unemployed persons;
• Production of price statistical digest and weekly conduct of price listing including collection, collation and analysis of socio-economic activities in Kwara State;
• Successfully coordinated the activities of donor agencies. Currently active International Development Partners in the state. This includes: British Council, DFID, World Bank, UNICEF, ADB, Sight Savers, Hygeia and WHO;
• Monitoring of UNICEF assisted programme in 6 focus communities (Aiyetoro Oja/Oha Issa in Ilorin East LGA, Oke Aba/Alla in Isin LGA and Shinawu/ Taberu in Baruten LGA);
• Annual production of State Statistical Year Book; Facts and Figures and Price Statistical Digest.