Follow Us on Google
From Sola Ojo, Kaduna
The Family Health Advocacy in Nigeria Initiative (FHANI) on Wednesday urged the Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani to release the sum of N250 million approved for the procurement of family planning commodities by his predecessor Nasir El-Rufai in 2021.
The Advocacy team urged Uba Sani to see how the money could be released before the year ends even if it mean releasing it instalmentally because the donors have started withdrawing their donations thereby leading to a gradual stick out.
FHANI is a civil society organization that promotes family Health and has been an advocate of childbirth spacing (family planning) as a means of reducing the burden of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity.
Findings have shown that investing in childbirth spacing (family planning) will reduce maternal mortality by 30% thereby improving the health indices of the state.
Speaking during a one-day meeting with journalists and media persons on family planning in Kaduna State, the Secretary of FHANI, Mr Benjamin Yunana Maigari, said the state under the leadership of Elrufai in 2021 approved the sum of N250 million for the procurement of childbirth spacing commodities.
The State government was then celebrated and commended by local and international organisations for being the first State in Nigeria to make that commitment which set precedence for other States to follow.
$However, due to the procurement law of Kaduna State, the money though approved, wasn’t cash-backed and a guideline to facilitate the cash-backing of the money was adopted by the Kaduna State government on 20/12)22.
“This guideline will enable the State to procure the commodities through the FP basket managed by UNFPA. The amount if cash-backed, will be paid to the Family Planning funding basket managed by UNFPA on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“States like Ogun, Lagos and Gombe which copied from Kaduna State have since paid in their money into the basket and procurement made on their behalf
“During conferences and international gatherings on Family Planning, Kaduna State continues to become a laughing stock due to its inability to cashback the money despite being the First State to be internationally recognized in Nigeria to be given a go-ahead.
“Governor Uba Sani during his campaign had promised to sustain the development of his predecessor and we have already started seeing that in areas of rural development. We know the present Administration is committed to the health of its citizens, especially women and children of Kaduna State.
“We are calling on the Kaduna State Government as a matter of urgency to cash back the M250 million this year in instalments, instead of the lump sum is taken into consideration, the many demands chasing the meagre resources available to Government.
“By so doing, the integrity of the state government will be maintained at both local and international community,” Maigari noted.
