The Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning has commenced educating ministries nationwide on the benefits of geospatial data for development planning and decision-making processes.
Geospatial data refers to information concerning space or spatial components like location, which aids the government in making critical decisions related to development.
During a sensitization event in Kaduna, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Nebolisa Anako, emphasised the significance of geo-spatial information in enabling the government to visualize and make informed decisions regarding resource allocation, infrastructure development, and other developmental priorities.
Anako stressed the importance of institutionalising the use of spatial evidence for decision-making and the ministry’s role in developing the National Geo-information Policy and the National Geo-Spatial Data Information (NGDI) bill.
These initiatives aim to create synergy among stakeholders, prevent duplications, and consolidate resources to support sub-national governments in adopting geo-spatial methods for planning and project delivery, particularly in areas like infrastructure distribution for education and health services, population demographics, gender considerations, and other vulnerabilities.
The Permanent Secretary of Kaduna State Planning and Budget Commission, Bashir Mohammed, lauded the collaboration between federal and sub-national agencies in promoting data-driven planning and development, noting that this synergy will significantly contribute to accelerating development efforts nationwide.
