By JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
The Zamfara State Government has assured of its commitment to continue collaborating with stakeholders towards strengthening social protection for the vulnerable people in the state.
The Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Budget and Planning, Sani Abubakar Bukkuyum stated this in Gusau at the Quarterly Coordination Meeting of Social Protection Technical Working Group (TWG).
The meeting was attended by the representatives from MDAs, TWG members representatives from Zamfara Social Protection Platform (ZSPP) and a Media representative.
During the meeting, all representatives from Social Protection Implementation MDAs in the state presented updates on the achievements, challenges and opportunities of social protection from their relevant agencies.
Bukkuyum who is the State TWG Chairman, noted that, “Social protection is everybody’s responsibility, therefore stakeholders must work together to achieve the desired goals”.
He described the partnership between the Zamfara Govt and UNICEF on social protection as successful.
The Permanent Secretary said Gov Dauda Lawal’s Administration has been committed to ensuring that most vulnerable people in the state have access basic needs of lives through various social protection intervention programmes.
“This meeting is very critical aimed at strengthening and effective coordination of social protection activities and programs in the state.
“At this note, I want to commended UNICEF’s intervention in promoting social protection programmes in the state.
“I am using this medium to restate Zamfara State Government readiness to give all necessary support towards partners for the development of the state,” the Permanent Secretary assured.
In a remarks, the Unicef representative, Mr Isah Ibrahim described social protection as an instruments to fight poverty.
Ibrahim described the current increase in poverty, economic hardship and low income especially in North West States, particularly based in poor households indices as issue of serious concern.
He assured of UNICEF’s intervention in promoting social protection programmes towards changing lives of vulnerable families.
Isah Ibrahim commended Zamfara Government for providing enabling environment to Unicef for various intervention programs.
“We are happy with the state government approval and releases of counterpart funds to various Unicef intervention programs in the state.
“The Unicef is highly impressive with the effort of the State legislators for making provision of N2.9 billion earmarked by the 14 LGAs for social protection programs.
“This is timely and welcome development, we are appealing state government for timely release of the fund and profer utilisation,” Ibrahim added.
In their separate remarks, the Permanent Secretaries of State Ministry for Local Government And Chieftaincy Affairs, And that of Agriculture, Dr Sanusi Yakubu Gusau and Dr Habibu Yelwa respectively assured support from their ministries to the social protection intervention programs.
Also Speaking, the Chairman Zamfara Social Protection Platform (ZSPP), Malam Nasiru Biyabiki noted that “Social protection is everybody’s responsibility.
Biyabiki added that all stakeholders must work together to achieve the desired goals of various Social protection interventions.
In a welcome remark, the Director Social Protection Coordination Department of the Ministry, Hajiya Safiya Ibrahim commended the participants for their active support and cooperation to the social protection activities in the state.
“We are highly impressed with the performance and contributions of the participants which led to the successful meeting.
“Our participants have contributed effectively, especially the update is for the MDAs,” She added.
