Abuja – The Minister of National Planning, Dr Abubakar Suleiman, on Thursday said journalists were critical partners in the implementation of the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP).
Suleiman, who was represented by the Secretary of the commission, Mr Bassey Akpanyung, gave the advice at the media workshop on Strategic and Sustainable Promotion/Marketing of the NIIMP.
The workshop was organised by the National Planning Commission, in collaboration with the Infrastructure Bank PLC.
He called on journalists to ensure that their reportage of the master plan was factual and devoid of bias.
The minister said the workshop was to ensure that journalists had a better understanding of the NIIMP.
The minister, who said media was critical to the NIIMP implementation, added that “whatever it published or aired shapes national and international discourse.
“Published work, especially from the mass media, has a strategic impact on the content, emotion and the end direction of public life.”
Suleiman said the NIIMP, which involved private and public sectors input, was approved by the Federal Executive Council on Sept. 3, 2014.
He said the plan, which became the blueprint for accelerated infrastructure development, would cost three trillion dollars between 2014 and 2043.
He expressed optimism that NIIMP, if effectively implemented, would create lots of job opportunities, wealth and reduce poverty.
Mr Kunle Oyinloye, the Managing Director, The Infrastructure Bank PLC, expressed the bank’s support to ensure successful implementation of the NIIMP
Dr. Abubakar Suleiman
