GOVERNOR MATAWALLE INAUGURATES ZAMFARA SOCIAL PROTECTION COUNCIL
Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara has on Thursday inaugurated State Social Protection Council.
Speaking at the Inauguration ceremony at Government House Gusau Matawalle said state Social Protection Policy (SPP) and the formation state Social Protection Council (SPC) were approved by the State Executive Council in September 2020.
“This is aim to harmonize other related social programmes targeted at reducing poverty and creating the circumstances for all citizens to live a decent life.
“The goal of the programme is to ensure that conditions for human development and social protection are met.
With the inauguration of the Council today.“It will serve as the highest coordination body for resource mobilisation and oversight on the implementation of the approved social protection policy among other critical responsibilities”, Matawalle said.
According to him, the council shall be responsible for, consideration and taking decisions on reports, inputs, and other submissions from the Technical Working Group (TWG) on SP effective coordination of state and non-state actors entrusted with the implementation of social protection programmes.
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“Clearly defining social protection interventions for specific groups Strengthening of the state statistical system by ensuring the development and mainstreaming of innovative technology and methods in statistics, data analytics and corporate management.
“Promotion of collaborative partnerships with the data communities and users ensuring that social protection programs and interventions are prioritized in the state budgets.
“Integration of social protection services to address multi-faceted vulnerabilities effectively and efficiently”, the Gov added.
Other responsibilities include ensuring consistency with national, regional, and international guidelines and indicators for comparing progress made in different sectors, among others.“Undertaking resource mobilisation for social protection activities and capacity building.
“Coordination of the contributions of development partners, Development of effective communication strategies and guidelines for data dissemination for public and private dialogue oriented to policy-makers, legislators, the media, the public, the economy.
“Submission of an annual report to the State Governor and Zamfara State House of Assembly on the status of social protection policy implementation in the State”, he explained.
Matawalle said the Secretary to the State Government as the Chairman while members of the council comprised commissioners, Ministry of Women, Children, Social Welfare, Local Government and Community Development, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management & Social Development.“Others were ministries of Education, Health, Youth and Sport, Justice, Religious Affairs, Agriculture and State Head of Civil Service.
“Others members include representatives of the organised private sector, state chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Directorate of Skills Acquisition, Development Partners in the State, State SDGs Office, Civil Society Organizations while the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to serve as Secretary of the Council”, Matawalle explained.
The Gov said going by the composition of the Council, which encompasses top government officials, relevant stakeholders, MDAs, private sector, development partners and civil society organisations, I have the conviction that the outcome of this policy will yield a fruitful result.
“I therefore, urge you all to consider the social and economic situation of our State and work for the best interest of the public.
“My administration will not give up on its efforts to provide social security for our people as part of this endeavour, the bills on Social Protection, Disability and Child Protection are at the final stage of legislative processes.
“I will give assent to the three bills the moment they are passed by the state house of assembly.
“We are also making efforts to make social protection highly responsive in terms of substantial financial allocations to critical areas of social development such as health, education, commerce, and humanitarian”, the Gov assured.
Matawalle also inaugurated Nigeria Road Safety Strategy Advisory Council with the state Commissioner of Works as Chairman.
