Katsina Govt. to uplift 1.46m children from multidimensional poverty

By Abbas Bamalli

Local Government Chairmen in Katsina State have resolved to strengthen commitment towards uplifting about 1.46 million children suffering from multidimensional poverty in the state.

The resolution is contained in a communiqué issued on Tuesday at the end of a two days capacity building workshop in Kano, organised by the Katsina State Bureau of Statistics with support from UNICEF.

At the opening of the exercise, Gov. Dikko Radda admitted that 1.46 million under-five children in the state were suffering from malnutrition, poor healthcare, and inadequate education.

Radda represented by the Commissioner for Rural and Social Development, Prof. Abdulhamid Ahmed, urged the local government council’s chairmen to deepen the implementation of social protection policies at the grassroots.

The communiqué, adopted by representatives of key stakeholders, described the step as a major move towards breaking the cycle of child poverty in state.

Participants agreed to review the Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), dollar rate to redefine the poverty line for the state, with a view to ensuring that interventions reflect the current economic realities.

The chairmen also recommended collaboration with the State Operation Coordinating Unit (SOCU) to update the social register, describing it as a critical tool for identifying and supporting the poorest households.

They also resolved to commence a statewide sensitisation campaign on poverty reduction and social protection, engaging traditional/religious leaders, community-based organisations, and advocacy groups.

According to the communiqué, each local government will establish a Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS) unit under the office of the chairman, to support the development of local government development plans.

It also called for increased budgetary allocations to child-sensitive social protection programmes to guarantee children’s access to basic needs, education, and healthcare.

Participants endorsed the creation of a Social Protection Monitoring Task Force at the community level to work with Technical Working Groups and the Zakkat and Waqf committees.

They also stressed the need for stronger data collaboration between LG PRS units and the State Bureau of Statistics to ensure that governance decisions were based on accurate and up-to-date data.

The communiqué recommended continuous capacity building for local government council’s chairmen and PRS staff, including learning visits to states with advanced social protection systems.

It added that local governments would actively participate in the design and implementation of federal and state social protection initiatives.

Alhaji Badaru Musa, Chairman, Bindawa Local Government council and Acting ALGON chairperson in the state commended the organisers for enhancing their understanding of social protection policies.

”Let us carry forward the lessons we have learned and translate them into practical actions that will improve lives and uplift communities across our local governments,” he said.

(NAN)