23.02.2024
Municipal visits of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region and the City of Oulu started
This spring, for the first time, the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region will carry out the regional director's visits to the municipalities of the region. The series of six visits began in the Nivala region on Thursday 22 February 2024, when the regional director Jussi Rämet visited Nivala together in cooperation with the acting Mayor of the City of Oulu Ari Alatossavan in cooperation with.
The meeting was attended by the municipal directors of Nivala, Haapajärvi, Reisjärvi, Pyhäjärvi, Pyhänttä and Kärsämäki. The purpose of the meeting was to hear them and get to know the situation in each municipality. Discussions were also held on the themes of the Northern Finland Programme launched by the Government.
"The purpose of the meetings is to intensify cooperation between municipalities and the Regional Regional Assembly and to identify area-based development proposals for the preparation of the Northern Programme to be launched under the auspices of the Prime Minister's Office. The municipal tour is a concrete and effective way to create the differentiated needs of the whole of Northern Ostrobothnia for the development of the region," Jussi Rämet says.
Views on the Northern Programme
Prime Minister Petteri Orpon According to the objective stated in the Government Programme, a Northern Programme is being prepared for the development of Northern Finland. A similar programme is being prepared for Eastern Finland. The Prime Minister's Office is responsible for the preparation of the programme together in cooperation with the stakeholders in the region. A study group consisting of secretaries of state and Region Mayors, as well as a wider advisory board, are being appointed to support the preparation. The work of the study group will last until the end of 2024 and the entire term of the Advisory Board.
The themes of the programme are opportunities for sustainable growth and new investments, opportunities for clean energy and their utilization, sustainable tourism, skills and the availability of skilled labour, the security, security of supply and self-sufficiency of Finland as a whole, and the accessibility of the region. Views on these themes were sought from the municipal leaders of the Nivala region.
“Themes highlighted in particular the economy, green transition projects and the availability of skilled labour. Almost all municipalities have different green transition projects in their start-up phase, so there was plenty to discuss. Another big issue is the workforce. Discussions focused on how we should work together and promote labour migration", Jussi Rämet says.
Projections up to 2030 show an increasing need for labour. According to Jussi Rämet, the solution models can be national or regional.
“The latter option would allow the region and the municipalities to build together a solution to increase labour demand.”
The third issue raised by the debate was accessibility. However, infrastructure projects on the railway line and the road network need clear implementation plans, according to the municipal managers.
"We have already started to work for that," Jussi Rämet points out.
Visits continue in the spring
The next visits of the Regional Director and the Mayor of Oulu will take place during the spring in the Oulu region, Kalajoki Valley, Ylivieska region, Raahe region and Koillismaa. The aim is to continue the visits in 2025 if the participants feel that they are functional and necessary.
At least in Nivala, the message was positive.
“The meeting was considered necessary and good by the municipal leaders. In particular, the participation of the City of Oulu in the meeting was praised. It was hoped that the dialogue between the region and the city would continue even on an annual basis", Jussi Rämet says.
Schedule of municipal visits 2024
22.2. Nivala
27.3. Raahe
28.5. Kalajoki
30.5. Ylivieska
6.6. Kuusamo
11.6. Oulu
