The Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo has inaugurated steering committees on “Social Safety-Nets Programme” alongside the “Nigeria for Women Programme” at the conference room of the government house in Awka, the state capital.
This is in line with the Federal Government and with support from the World Bank which established the National Social Safety Nets Project (NASSP) in 2016 to reduce poverty and its associated vulnerability.
In his remarks the state Governor, Charles Chukwuma Soludo who was represented at the ceremony by his Deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim during the inauguration welcomed the members on board for the new task ahead and described the two committees as serious.
The Deputy Governor stated that they (the committees) fall into the second pillar of the vision of Mr. Governor.
He affirmed that the Governor is on top gear in making the state a destination hub where people will dream to visit, relax, enjoy and learn.
Delivering her speech, the Commissioner for women and children affairs, Mrs Ify Obinabo said “The project’s strategic objective has been to provide access to targeted cash transfer for Poor and Vulnerable Households (PVHHs) under an expended social safety nets system”.
The Commissioner added that Anambra State has been a beneficiary of this project which brought to an end of its first phase in 2022.
On the Nigeria for women programme committee, Madam Commissioner explained that “it is an eight-year national women empowerment program from the federal government to support women with improved livelihood opportunities in targeted communities”.
She said to accomplish this objective, the project will develop and strengthen new and existing Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) with a strong livelihood which focused towards enhancing household income.
The permanent secretary, Economic Budget and Planning ministry Mrs Steph Keri Uzor who stood in for the Commissioner Mrs Chiamaka Nnake appreciated Mr. Governor for being passionate towards the vulnerable children and women and assured that they will deliver the task entrusted to them, optimally.
Members of the committee for Social Safety-Nets Programme includes:
“1* Commissioner of Budget & Economic Planning …Chairperson
2* Commissioner of Health… Member
3* Commissioner of Education Member
4*Commissioner of Youth Development… Member
5* Commissioner of Agriculture Member
6 Commissioner of Environment… Member
7* Commissioner of Women Affairs… Member
8* Focal Person on SDG… Member
9*Representative of House Committee on Social Investment and Poverty Alleviation… Member
10* Representative of Workers Organizations (Labour Congress)… Member
11* Representative of People with Disability… Member
12* Representative of Civil Society… Member
13* SA to the Governor on Development Partner Coordination… Member
14* Representative of National Identity Management Agency (NIMC)… Member
15* Representative of Pension Commission… Member
16* Representative of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF)… Member
17* Representative of Anambra State Health Insurance Agency… Member
18* Representative of ALGON Anambra Chapter… Member
19* Representative of Anambra Chamber of Commerce… Member
20*Anambra State Cash Transfer Unit (SCTU)… Member
21* State Operations Coordinating Unit (SOCU)…Secretary.”
Also members of the committee for women programme includes:
“1* Commissioner for Budget & Economic Planning Chairperson
2* Commissioner for Women Affairs Member
3* Commissioner for Health Member
4* Commissioner for Power & Water Resources Member
5* Commissioner for Agriculture Member
6* Commissioner for Finance Member
7* Commissioner for Education Member
8* Commissioner for Justice/Attorney General Member.”