FG sensitises Gombe MDAs on use of Geo-spatial data in planning

The Federal Government (FG) through the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning has sensitised officials of various ministries, departments and agencies in Gombe State on the use of geo-spatial data for development planning and decision making.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the sensitisation workshop held at Gombe International Hotel on Thursday, the permanent secretary of the ministry Nebeolisa Anako represented by the head of evaluation, Gomina Mohammed, explained that the workshop was aimed at enlightening the participants on the significance of geo-spatial data that takes into cognisance, locations in their development planning.

According to him, with geo-spatial information, government can ensure equitable distribution of resources, infrastructural development, visualise and take informed decisions on developmental matters.

The permanent secretary said the federal government had already adopted the geo-spatial data in its plannings and decisions making adding that the ministry wants to promote it in states to enhance the impacts of government activities on the citizenry.

“It is also worth mentioning that the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning is playing critical role in the development of the National Geo-information policy and National Geo-spatial Data Infrastructure (NGDI) bill in Nigeria to create synergy among stakeholders.

“To prevent duplications and promote consolidation of resources that will be used in supporting sub-national governments to uptake the use of geo-spatial technology for planning and project delivery especially in equitable distribution of infrastructure for education, health services, population demography, gender and other vulnerabilities.”, he noted.