FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
A non-governmental organization, Africa Network For Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has called on the Federal and State governments to significantly increase their investments in social investment programmes across the country.
Aljazirah Nigeria reports that Rev David Ugolor, the Executive Director of the organization made the call at a press briefing on Enhancing Social Protection Programs in Nigeria (ESPPIN) in Benin City.
Ugolor said increasing investment in the programs will create opportunities for millions of Nigerians to escape multidimensional poverty, fostering a more prosperous and equitable society.
He also called on the donor community such as the African Development Bank, the World Bank and the private sector to make bold efforts in supporting Social Protection Programmes at both national, subnational and local levels in the country to forestall human tragedy in Nigeria.
He added that the ESPPIN project is being implemented in five states of Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Ekiti and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja and ANEEJ in working with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) partners.
The ANEEJ boss listed the partners to include Community Empowerment and Development Initiative (CEDI), International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre (IPCRC), Akwa, Anambra state, Development Initiators, Yenagoa, Bayelsa state and the New Initiative for Social Development (NISD).
He opined that the Federal Government designed several interventions such as the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) to address the increasing poverty level in the country.
He posited that the NSIP is an ambitious effort aimed at improving the lives of the most vulnerable citizens.
While noting that the programme is lauded as one of the Africa’s largest social protection programme, added that it is a beacon of hope for millions.
“With an annual allocation exceeding $1billion, this programme transcends mere budgetary figures. It symbolizes our shared commitment to uplifting the less fortunate and creating a stronger, more equitable society.
“Enhancing social protection policies in Nigeria (ESPPIN) project emerged as a civil society effort to complement the efforts of both the national and subnational governments in tackling poverty.
” ANEEJ, with support from Bread for the World (Germany) and the foreign, Commonwealth and Development office, took the helm of this three-year project (2020(2020- 2023- 2023) to enhance the implementation of the Social Investment Programme across Nigeria”,he said.
He urged State Houses of Assembly in States such as Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and others to initiate the process of enacting social protection laws.
He said the laws will facilitate the states’ contributions to eradicating poverty and promoting social justice, particularly with the problems that have come with the recent removal of subsidy on petrol.
The ANEEJ director further called on Delta, Bayelsa and other States lacking comprehensive social protection policies to expedite the creation and implementation of such policies with delays.