MDAs to Get Information System

Dr Shamsuddeen Usman, minister of National Planning has said that an information system dedicated to the Nigeria Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) would soon be unveiled by the federal government.

The information system would be used for policy planning and implementation by both governmental and non-governmental organizations, he said.

Shamsuddeen said this in a keynote address at the National Dialogue on Nigeria's National Voluntary Presentation (NVP) on the progress made on International Agreed Goals (IAGs) in Abuja.

The dialogue was organized by the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs.

Dr. Precious Gbeneol, senior special assistant to the President on MDGs,  will present the Nigeria NVP at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission (ECOSOC) Annual Ministerial Review coming up in June in Switzerland.

Dr Shamsudeen who was represented by Mr.  Abraham Taiwo further said the MDGs information system developed by Nigeria MDGs office in partnership with the UN country team was designed to increase the accuracy of targeted investment and accelerate the developmental progress at both National and Sub-national levels.

He said "Nigeria now has a comprehensive map of health, education, water and sanitation facilities throughout the country. Not only are the locations of these facilities mapped, but their capacity has been recorded, and the gaps in capacity highlighted."

In his remark, Eric Olson, senior economic affairs officer, UN Department for Economic and Social Affairs, New York, stated in his paper on the objectives of the ECOSOC NVP that the selection of Nigeria is indicative of the influence of the country in Africa.

Earlier in her welcome address, Dr. Gbeneol noted that the forum provides opportunity for stakeholders to review the progress and challenges being faced in the implementation of the MDGs in Nigeria