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…insists states not FG compiled register
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, has faulted the recent statement of states governors questioning the credibility of the register used by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to implement the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP).
Governors at their recent National Economic Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja requested for the disbandment of the register for lack of credibility, suggesting that new register be compiled for the implementation of social intervention by the Federal Government.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Sani Gwarzo, who spoke in Abuja, on Tuesday, at a two-day policy dialogue on Nigeria’s poverty profile and social register organized by UNICEF and other development partners, said that though, the register might not be as accurate as expected, but it’s a starting point, and could be reviewed.
He confirmed that Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs was never responsible for the development and compilation of the social intervention register, stating that the register came from states on the request of the Ministry.
He said: “We have one of the most ambitious database/register that has been corroborated by many development partners. But all of a sudden, a strong doubt arose from a certain aspects of the database. But that doesn’t mean it’s deficient. The database was developed to be that way, to allow for necessary changes.
“We must also know that the database/register is not beneficiary register but a compendium of every kind of poverty record, starting from people at the lowest rank. So, I can authoritatively confirm that the national social register that we have is not a complete set that addresses every challenges. It’s a set that foresees every future problem, and that was why it’s sefl-auditing and self-improving. The database/register is open to accommodate new challenge.
“I must also state that it’s not the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development that developed the database. It was developed and compiled by a team from the states. All we did was to aggregate it. So, for the states governors to complain that the database/register was not accommodating their needs was an unfair statement.
“However, that’s why the database was developed. It was developed in such a way that it accommodate new challenges. So, we shouldn’t shoot down the national register for whatever reason. The database is futuristic. It was designed to expectant of new dimensions of poverty being experienced.”
UNICEF Country Representative, Cristian Munduate, in her remarks at the workshop applauded various efforts of government and development partners in combating poverty and vulnerability.
Munduate said she has personally witnessed the menace of poverty across the country and its toll in several aspects of people’s lives, including education.
“From Lagos to Sokoto, I have met individual like Tutu, a struggling single mother, and Umar, a child deprived of education, who personify the reality of our poverty statistics. As of 2022, 63 per cent of our population were faced with deprivation, a disturbing figure that included 70 million children,” she said.
She, however, explained that the workshop was put in place to brainstorm on poverty and vulnerability situation in the country in order to chart possible solutions, adding that it was also aimed at expanding Nigeria’s social register and establish a robust, inclusive, and responsive social protection system.
“Our goal was to have a Nigeria where all citizens, particularly women, children, and the disabled, have access to strong social protections and are not living on the edge of poverty.
“Amid global challenges such as oil price fluctuations, insecurity, socio-economic disparities, and pandemics like COVID-19, poverty is further gripping our people, indicating a dire need for effective social protection interventions. This meeting, hence, symbolizes hope for a future where every Nigerian feels recognized and safeguarded.
“The essentiality of a comprehensive register to reach those most in need cannot be overstated.”
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, in his submission, said poverty and vulnerability remain pressing challenges facing Nigeria.
Akume who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs, Office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Esuabana Nko-Asanye, said it was crucial to recognize the impact of the issues of poverty and vulnerability on Nigerians citizens.
He said: “Poverty and vulnerability remain pressing challenges in our country. It’s crucial to recognize the impact of these issues on our fellow citizens. Despite progress in reducing poverty rates in recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic presented us with new challenges, pushing approximately 63 per cent of our population into multi-dimensional poverty of which almost 70 million are children.
“This setback emphasized the urgency to strengthen our efforts in mitigating these issues and improving the lives of millions of Nigerians.”
Speaking further, Akume said Nigeria’s social inequalities has further exacerbated the situation, as access to essential resources such as food, education, healthcare, and infrastructure are unevenly distributed.
“Women, children, and persons with disabilities are among the most vulnerable groups facing poverty, ill- health, and economic shocks,” he said.
Akume thanked UNICEF and all other partners for supporting the organization of this dialogue, adding that its outcome will have a positive impact on the country.
