By Praise Chinecherem
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reassured commitment to an all-inclusive social protection policy that would address various forms of vulnerabilities in Anambra State.
Enugu Chief Field Officer Mrs Juliet Chiluwe gave the assurance during a 3-day Stakeholders Engagement Forum on Social Protection Policy and State Social Register.
The stakeholder technical workshop group (TWG) engagement organised by Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in collaboration with UNICEF had commissioners, top government functionaries, UNICEF officials, among other stakeholders in attendance.
Chiluwe, represented by Acting UNICEF Field Officer, Dr. Olusoji Akinleye referenced the multiple indicators of 2016 and 2021 which were last two versions of mixed survey, expressing concerns over worrying indicators in the State as captured by National Planning Commission.
She said, “While Anambra is not the worst in the country, there are areas of improvement which we think a deliberate policy on Social protection as being initiated here would help a lot to address.
“From the records, Anambra is the only state in Southeast where Penta 3 coverage declined within the period in view, while the rest states increased remarkably.
“Anambra has the highest zero dose population, with children of under 2 yet to receive first dose of Penta vaccine. Anambra has the highest cumulative population in Southeast, precisely 39,805.
“Access to handwashing facilities in the state is low, and still reducing further, went down from 30% in 2016 to 19% in 2021. These are all indicators of poverty.
“Again, access to child education in Anambra is below 70percent and second lowest in Southeast. Only 32% of primary school aged children enter primary 1 in the state.
“Out of school children is highest in Southeast at 23%. The state also has the highest cumulative under 5 population birth registration as many as 296000 plus children of under 5 are yet to have their births registered, Actually the highest in Southeast.
“By implication, these children are being denied of their rights of identity as their birth registration are not documented.
The UNICEF Chief however applauded government’s efforts in improving lives of its citizenry, including access to free antenatal care with free delivery kits for pregnant women, recruitment of health workers and teachers, free and compulsory free education, among others.
“We recognize government efforts in addressing the anomalies, but we think it’s better to work in an all-inclusive social protection policy that addresses all vulnerabilities to ensure reversal of negative indicators.
“The governor requested we make the social protection policy available by December, but with the assurances from Budget and Economic Planning Commissioner, it should be ready by November.
“What UNICEF has done to ensure the November deadline is achieved is to mobilize all resources within and outside UNICEF including hiring a renowned international consultant on social protection supporting national process,” she added.
Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachi Ibezim, while declaring the workshop open, said the social protection policy was in line with the 50-year vision plan of Soludo-led administration of improving lives of the poor and vulnerables.
He expressed confidence in the caliber of manpower and implementing partners involved in the process to deliver on the mandate amidst dwindling global economic challenges.
Earlier, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Chiamaka Nnake said the workshop was targeted at engaging relevant stakeholders to technically review earlier drafted social protection policy ahead of its launch in November.
“The objectives of the workshop are common understanding and clear directive on the State Social Protection Agenda, to engage stakeholders on the need to have social protection policy to serve as a guide for addressing vulnerability challenges as well as develop a road map for adoption of the policy in the state,” she added.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Stephanie Keri-uzor described as suicidal neglect to social protection by any nation.
She stressed that an assured and surefooted action-plan for viable sustenance of available human capital development were surest bet for social protection.
“Meaningful development will continue to elude any nation that is lacking in concrete and workable social protection program that, safeguards and offers reasonable guarantee to the basic human needs of individuals,” she noted.
