ANAMBRA STATE GOVT SETS UP 2 STEERING COMMITTEES FOR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN NSIP

REPORTER: BEN ILECHUKWU

Anambra State Government has expressed its readiness to partner the Federal Government in its National Social Intervention Programme (NSIP) aimed at improving the lives of the vulnerable in the society.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo stated this while inaugurating two Steering Committees, consisting of the Anambra State Social Safety Nets Project and Nigeria for women programme at Government House, Awka.

The Governor explained that the project would alleviate the poverty index in the state and Nigeria at large.

Federal Government with support from the World Bank had established the National Social Safety Nets Project (NASSP) in 2016 to reduce poverty and its associated vulnerability.

As part of the project requirement, each state government is required to set up a State Steering Committee (SSC) for Social Protection, which is chaired by Commissioner for Budget and Planning, with Secretariats provided by State Operation Coordinating Unit (SOCU).

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, the Governor expressed optimism that the project would improve the lives of the downtrodden and vulnerable in the society .

The Governor further hinted that the initiative was in tandem with his administration’s plan to assist the low income earners and mini-traders through soft loans to advance their various businesses.

In a speech, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Ify Obinabo, said the project was strategically designed to provide access to targeted cash transfer for Poor and Vulnerable Households (PVHHs) under an expanded Social Safety Net System.

She also revealed that the Federal Government has integrated the NASSP into the National Social Investment Program (NSIP) and secured additional financing of 800 million dollars to implement National Social Safety Nets project- Scale Up (NASSP-SU).

In a remark, a member of the committte, who doubles as the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs. Stephanie Keri-Uzor, on behalf of the Commissioner, thanked the government for finding them worthy to serve and promised to work diligently towards the success of the project.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU