Anambra Pledges Financial, Operational Facilities For FG Social Programmes

The governor of Anambra state Chief Willie Obiano has reaffirmed the  State Government resolve towards ensuring necessary budgetary assistance and operational facilities for the implementation of the Federal Government's social investment programmes in the State. 

The Governor made this  known when he received a delegation from the Social Investment Project Office, who paid him a courtesy call at the governor's Lodge, Amawbia.

The Federal Government 's Social Investment Project which supervises the implementation of Federal Government's Special Intervention Packages, has given major schemes under its purview and they include the School Feeding Program, Job Creation, Empowerment Programmes, Bursary Allowance and Cash Transfer Programmes.

 The delegation led by the National Coordinator, National Social Safety net Coordinating Office, Mr Peter Papka, represented by National Coordinator, Youths Employment and Social Support Operation, YESSO, Mr Andrew Adejoh was in the state to provide capacity on the Cash Transfer Programme.

Receiving the delegation, Gov Obiano commended the Presidency especially Vice-President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo for the transparent manner he has handled the project in ensuring that states that merit the intervention benefits.

He noted that Anambra is one of the states of the Federation to implement the School Feeding program with over a hundred thousand pupils in primary schools benefiting, adding that his administration will ensure that the State remains tops in the implementation.

Gov Obiano assured that the present administration will fully support the programme and maintain constant supervision of the implementation process, and said under his watch, more partnerships will be initiated towards improving the lives of Ndi Anambra.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr Mark Okoye revealed that the Obiano administration has in line with a Memorandum of Understanding it signed with the NaSSCO office set up the Operation's Coordinating Office with requisite operational capacities with focal persons and has also created a robust conditional cash transfer unit with complementary staff to facilitate the implementation.

According to him, the Social investment Project is consistent with the present administration's Economic Stimulus Package aimed at providing support to the poor and vulnerable in the State.

The NaSSCO National Coordinator, Mr Papka who identified absence of credible data as a major factor bedeviling poverty eradication programmes in the country, said in response, the Federal Government in collaboration with the World Bank, is developing a single register using the community-based targeting approach to identify the real poor and vulnerable persons in the communities.

He pledged for the support of the state government towards the achievement of the single register which he noted will not only serve for the Cash Transfer Purpose but also provide viable data that can be used for other initiatives of the State government and other partners.


By Kingley Ezekwesili