By Abbas Bamalli
Katsina State House of Assembly says it is committed to improving the state’s budget as it relates to Social Protection (SP) programmes towards addressing poverty.
This is part of the communique issued at the end of a two-day capacity building workshop for the assembly members on ‘Right Result Based Management (RRBM)’, held in Kano on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the communique was signed by the Speaker of the assembly, Alhaji Nasir Yahaya-Daura.
The workshop was organised by the state’s Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, in collaboration with the United Nations Children Funds (UNICEF).
According to the communique, the stakeholders also resolved to increase investment in the lives of the masses by appropriating more funds for SP services.
This is with the view to narrowing the gap between the less privileged and the privileged citizens.
The house also agreed on applying a results-based approach in designing and implementing SP programmes by the legislature, and efforts should be made to expedite the passage of the bill into law.
The stakeholders also resolved to enhance synergy between the media, CSOs under Katsina SP network, and SP parliamentary Forum for the Promotion of the SP programmes in state.
It also resolved that periodic training of staff involved in social protection agenda, updating of social register and creating awareness on its importance were agreed on.
Also, legislature and executive retreat is recommended to improve synergy in the discharge of responsibilities, and commitment to transition programme based Budgeting.
In his closing remarks, the Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Abduljalal Runka, commended the organisers, saying, “your commitment to driving development in our state is truly inspiring.
“To my fellow colleagues, I commend you for your active participation and engagement throughout this exercise.
“Your enthusiasm and dedication to learning are a testament to our collective commitment to driving positive change in our state.”
Social protection is the provision of a framework for promoting social justice, equity and inclusive productive growth.
It is also a transformative tool for addressing poverty, unemployment, social and economic vulnerabilities, inequality, exclusion and other threats to sustainable development.
NAN