Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The European Union and UNICEF have initiated move to strengthen the Abia State social protection system, and provide technical assistance in generating accurate social register database for the state.
This was the major objective of a workshop with the theme: “Supporting Sustainable Social Protection,” held yesterday in Umuahia.
The European Union-sponsored workshop, facilitated by UNICEF was aimed at strengthening states’ social protection register through the generation of comprehensive and accurate database.
Speaking at the one-day EU-sponsored, UNICEF-facilitated workshop, the Social Policy Officer for UNICEF, Enugu Office, Dr Victor Chima, stressed the need for accurate database for effective social interventions.
He reiterated the willingness of UNICEF to assist Abia and other states in generating real-time data for social register.
He said: “UNICEF is providing technical support alongside other partners to ensure that the social protection system for Abia state is strengthened; the social register expanded; and the policies adequately funded and implemented.”
The UNICEF Officer who identified Abia as one of the four pilot states for the project, said UNICEF along its partners, would continue to provide necessary assistance to better the lives of the vulnerable ones.
“We are also providing technical support to the state to judiciously utilize its budget across key areas of social services, health, education, social protection, water, sanitation, hygiene,” he said.
Speaking also, UNICEF Consultant, Mr Nard Huijbregts of Economic Policy Research Institute, Cape Town, South Africa, said “the project targets 20 million poor and vulnerable households in Nigeria.”
He stressed the need for continuous review and update of the social register database, and the National Social Implementation Policy of Nigeria.
800,000 pupils on scholarship
Speaking at the event, Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs Blessing Felix, said over 800,000 pupils from Primary 1 to Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3), currently enjoy free education in Abia State.
The gesture, according to her, is a demonstration of the State Government’s commitment to improving the wellbeing of the vulnerable group.
The Commissioner also disclosed that the Alex Otti-led administration had provided health insurance scheme for no fewer than 100,000 residents of the state.
She said that the Governor was not only interested in giving palliatives to the vulnerable groups but also in permanently addressing the causes of poverty to lift indigent folks out of poverty.
The Commissioner argued that time had come for Governments to go beyond palliatives and sincerely tackle the root causes of poverty.
She said: “Poverty is not just about giving palliatives. Palliatives are not vaccine against poverty. When you want to ensure that somebody is truly alleviated from poverty, you need to target education. Do they have education? Because in the end, all of these indices support the person to become self-reliant and not dependent.
“Indigent people should not be remembered as tools for election, but as people who are members of our societies, and our families that we need to look after,” the Commissioner added.
She said the state intended to expand its social register database as guide for various interventions to positively impact the vulnerable.
Speaking also, Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr Kingsley Anosike, said generation of accurate database is key to adequate planning.
Anosike revealed that Abia currently has 240 households of average five members in its social register.
“We have 240 households in our social register and we are working very closely with the national body to expand the register at the moment.
“Data are everything. From the planning point of view, If you do not have a good database, it will be difficult for you to project. But with robust database, it will enable you to respond and intervene in the social needs of the population.”
The workshop was attended by Government officials from relevant Ministries.
