Laraba MUREY
The Federal government, through the ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has launched an initiative to verify the National Social Register, NSR, in various communities across Lagos State.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, said the primary objective of the verification process is to uphold integrity in the distribution of conditional cash transfers.
A statement by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Rasheed Zubair, said the three weeks exercise is part of a nationwide effort in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
The minister personally conducted a door-to-door verifications in remote riverine villages, underscoring the government’s commitment to ensuring the integrity of the social register.
She emphasized the federal government’s readiness to provide financial support to Nigerians for businesses, education, livelihoods, and job creation, adding that President Bola Tinubu is adamant about targeting those who genuinely need assistance, aiming to uplift the lives of the less fortunate.
Edu stated that individuals already listed in the NSR would undergo scrutiny to determine if they meet the eligibility criteria, while areas previously omitted would be included.
“The government’s intention is to empower households by subsidizing transportation costs, improving access to social services, and bolstering their spending power for essential needs such as healthcare and education.”
Edu emphasized that it should accurately reflect individuals living below the poverty line, defined as earning less than one dollar and 95 cents per day, and experiencing multidimensional poverty.
“We are conducting both community and geographical targeting, ensuring that areas like Oko Agbon, Adogbo, Migbewhe, Makoko, Sogunro, and Apollo villages are covered comprehensively by NSR. We will also address areas that have not been captured yet,” Dr. Edu explained.
The verification activities are being carried out nationwide in collaboration with state governments and local communities. State Governors will oversee steering committees at the state level, while Local Government Authorities and Community Leaders will contribute to achieving a National Social Register with integrity, free from political or personal interference.
The new National Coordinator for the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office NASSCO, Abdulaziz Danladi, expressed excitement on Edu’s field-oriented approach and affirmed his support for her passion in this critical endeavor.
He highlighted the importance of strengthening social safety nets and protection systems to combat extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity.
The visit by the minister and her team to Lagos also featured the distribution of food items and expanded medical outreach to support vulnerable individuals in the area.