Civil society organizations in Kaduna state have engaged candidates from various political parties to make commitment and explain their plans towards improving and sustaining social protection programmes if they win the 2023 elections.
The event held in Kaduna was organized by Coalition of Civil Society Organizations CSOs, supported by Save the Children was tagged ‘Social Protection to End Poverty’ to assist poorest of the poor by incoming leaders of the country.
Speaking at the event in Jema’a Local Government Secretariat, the Chairperson Kaduna Social Protection Accountability Coalition KADSPAC, Ms Jessica Bartholomew said social protection has become a global key component for development policy of many countries.
Ms Jessica Bartholomew cited South Africa which she said has signed into law its social protection program which gives every child right to be given a dollar everyday for feeding.
She explained that there are three main social protection approaches implemented in Kaduna State which are ; Social insurance, social assistance; and labour market regulation.
Jessica explained that the Kaduna State government has achieved some milestones in the social protection programme and it is necessary to ensure its sustainability after the 2023 election.
Community representatives made several requests including, the need for prompt and ealry payment of pensions, proper screening of social protection beneficiaries and adequate intervention to the needs of public schools.
Representatives and Candidates from Labour Party, All Progressive Congress, Peoples Democratic Party and African Democratic Congress Party both agreed to the submissions and signed the documents to improve and sustain the social protection programmes.
Some of them criticized the electorates of failure to observe credibility while voting but instead go for the highest bider.
Cover/Shindong Bala