FCC, Budget ministry seek strategic partnership on infrastructure balancing index

By Jude Opara

The Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Hon. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, in line with the Commission’s constitutional mandate, is canvassing for stronger partnership with the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning for equitable distribution of infrastructural facilities, socio-economic amenities and development projects across the country.

Omidiran made the call when a delegation from the FCC paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, on Tuesday in Abuja. She also sought the ministry’s support for enhanced funding to enable the Commission effectively discharge its responsibilities.

The FCC Chairman while speaking during the meeting, revealed that the Commission is currently developing an Infrastructure Balancing Index (IBI) to strengthen its constitutional mandate of monitoring and promoting the equitable distribution of socio-economic amenities, infrastructural facilities and development projects across the country.

She said; “The Commission is developing an Infrastructure Balancing Index that will serve as a strategic tool for monitoring the distribution of infrastructural facilities, social amenities and development projects across the country. Our objective is to ensure fairness, inclusiveness and balanced access to government interventions in every part of Nigeria”.

Omidiran further explained that the proposed framework would complement the existing Character Balancing Index, which guides equitable representation and recruitment in public institutions.

“While the Character Balancing Index focuses on fair representation in public service appointments, the Infrastructure Balancing Index will provide an objective mechanism for assessing the spread of infrastructural facilities and socio-economic amenities across the country. This will help ensure that no community or region is left behind in the distribution of national resources and development opportunities,” she added.

In her remarks, the Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to driving economic growth through the Renewed Hope Development Plan, which she said adopts a bottom-up approach aimed at stimulating economic activities from the ward level to the national level.

Dr. Uzoka-Anite further disclosed that the ministry is currently undertaking a comprehensive survey and mapping exercise of all wards nationwide as part of preparations for the National Development Plan (2026–2033).

“The Renewed Hope Development Plan is designed to unlock economic opportunities at the grassroots by identifying and harnessing the unique resources, talents and comparative advantages of every ward across the country. Sustainable national development must begin from the grassroots and grow upwards through targeted interventions and economic empowerment,” the minister said.

The main takeaway from the meeting was the two agencies accepting to deepen collaboration in support of the Renewed Hope Agenda and the shared objective of ensuring equitable distribution of opportunities, infrastructural facilities and socio-economic benefits to all parts of the country.