By Bida Elly David
Central Equatoria State has officially launched its 2021–2024 strategic development plan, which focuses on security reforms, economic recovery and agriculture.
The state minister of finance and investment, Viana Kakule said the plan covers most of the relevant and critical issues in the state that the government regards as major priorities to tackle.
Kakule noted that the plans are connected to national and regional development standards, particularly the global human development index, literacy level, and public financial management.
Noting it as benchmark in aiding development intervention for state progress, she said the SSP 22.9bn plan, is comprehensively aligned with the development period.
“It encompasses security stabilization and peacebuilding, access to social services and the justice system, economic recovery through agriculture and investment, and good neighborliness,’’ Kakule explained.
She said that the plan covers dignified return, reintegration and resettlement of the exiled population, as well as management and keeping Juba City and all urban areas in the state safe, clean and green.
According to the minister, the constitution of the development plan has been triggered by a number of challenges that need to be addressed as soon as possible.
“We are facing development and challenges at the state level, and they are not limited to insecurity, inadequate planning, budgeting, expenditure control, reporting, weak revenue mobilization, and management in coordination between the national and state governments,’’ she said.
However, she noted that the categorical development challenges will be addressed collaboratively with the partners and the national government.
Minister Kakule added that the implementation matrix of the plan will serve as a guide to enhance the development plans of the respective ministries and institutions.
“As we move towards the implementation phase of the plan, we count every support from our stakeholders, and we are eager to work together with the national government, the business community, and civil society organizations,’’ she said.
She reiterated her commitment through collaboration with the local government to capacitate grass-roots developmental activities.
Central Equatoria governor, Emmanuel Adil, commended partners for serving the state through the journey of formulating the strategic plan.
He said that the development concept note went through legislative scrutiny, noting that it will be used as a basis for budgeting and planning.
“I urge all heads of government institutions responsible for implementation, to make concerted efforts, to ensure by the end of three years, some tangible outcomes would have been achieved,” he added.
The formulation of the Central Equatoria state plan was facilitated by the national ministry of finance and planning with support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Japanese government, and the Sustainable Development Goals.