From Yakubu Busari, Jos
Vulpap
Hon Ezekiel Vulgap, Chairman Association Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON in Plateau state Chapter has expressed satisfaction with the performance of Social Investment Programme in the state.
Vulgap who is also Chairman of Mikang Local Government Area said that the people have benefited tremendously as the project has added to economic well-being of the people in the state, while he called for proper monitoring to capture only beneficiaries.
Vulgap who made the remark during the presentation of four years documents by Dr Sumaye Hamza, focal person for the implementation of SIP in the state, said it has added real value to lives of people in rural communities the state.
He maintained that the youths have been adequately engaged. In the area of agriculture, the Home Grown School Feeding Programme has adequately engaged farmers on the Plateau who produced what pupils are fed with in schools.
“That too has added value to the agricultural sector of the state. In terms of the economically, the Conditional Cash Transfer component of the SIP has really boosted the economy activities in the state.
“As you had listened to the Focal-Person, billions of naira has been sunk into the programme. The implication is that economic activities have been boosted because the monies were being spent here in Plateau state.
“In summary, I would say SIP has actually impacted positively and added value on the people and economy of the state”, he said.
As SIP program enters the second phase of implementation, Vulgap advised that there should be strict supervision and monitoring to ensure that only those that are in need benefit.
“My strong advice as we go into the second phase of the programme is that there should be strict supervision and monitoring. Because no matter the good intention of government through the program, without proper supervision and monitoring, the essence would be defeated.
They should ensure that only those that are in need, particularly those that have been captured in the second phase (about 80, 000 households) and the focus should remain on the poorest of the poor”.
The ALGON chairman commended the efforts of Dr. Hamza for the success she has achieved in monitoring the implementation of the program in Plateau state in the last four years.
The Social Investment Program, an initiative of the Federal Government was flagged – up in 2016 by President Muhammad Buhari to boost productivity, especially amongst the marginalized and vulnerable, including women; stimulate economic activities in unreached areas; help create sustainable jobs; improve livelihood; engender stability and security in communities and ultimately, reduce poverty amongst other strategic objectives.
