The Kaduna State Government says it will capture all Poor and Vulnerable Households (PVHHs) in the state’s social register and leave no one behind in all social protection interventions.
Mrs Saude Atoyebi, Focal Person, National Social Investment Programme in the state, gave the assurance in Kaduna at the opening of a three-day training of Community-Based Targeting Teams (CBTT).
Atoyebi said that without evidence-based data of PVHHs, it would be difficult to serve the poor and vulnerable in the state.
According to her, generating the data is critical in the provision of support to PVHHs.
She said that the number of PVHHs captured in the social register from nine local government areas of the state was barely 20,500 in mid-2019.
She listed the council areas as Kachia, Sanga, Kauru, Birnin Gwari, Chikun, Kajuru, Ikara, Kubau and Lere.
“Having recognised the importance of this data, Gov. Nasir El Rufa’i directed that the social register be populated with all poor and vulnerable households.
“This is because it is only when the PVHHs are identified and captured in the register that the state and the Federal Government will be able reach out to them with various interventions.
“Today, we have more than 130,000 PVHHs across the nine LGAs in our register, and plans have been concluded to gradually capture all poor and vulnerable households in the state.
“The State Operations Coordinating Unit has been working tirelessly to achieve this feat.
“This training is a milestone in actualising a social register that leaves no one or group behind,” she said.
The focal person added that the mandate would be achieved with the support of the state government and guidelines from the National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office.
She noted that the training was taking place simultaneously in the state’s three senatorial zones to build the capacity of the CBTTs on community-based targeting processes.
She said that the main task of the targeting teams would be to support communities in identifying and capturing poor and vulnerable households into the social register.
She noted that the PVHHs were more likely to be affected in the event of catastrophe, adding that it was government’s responsibility to provide them with the necessary support to live decently.
“The Kaduna State Government has today, entrusted you with the noblest of service – to serve the poorest and most vulnerable citizens.
“Through your efforts, the poor and vulnerable households will stand a better chance at a life of dignity.
“This will actualise the vision of Gov. El-Rufa’i to ensure that no poor person sleeps hungry or suffers avoidable socio-economic shocks,” she said.
Atoyebi advised the targeting teams to observe all health protocols such as social distancing, hand washing and wearing of mask, while carrying out their duties.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was conducted in strict compliance with safety measures against coronavirus, such as use of face mask, social distancing and use of hand sanitiser.
