…By Lola Smith for TDPel Media.
The National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO) has clarified that Nigeria’s social register is a compilation of registries from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
This statement comes in response to recent criticisms from the National Economic Council (NEC), expressing concerns about the credibility of the national social register during discussions on relief measures for Nigerians.
The Composition of the National Social Register:
NASSCO, through a tweet on Friday, emphasized that the national social register is not a standalone entity but an aggregation of state registers.
Each state and the FCT has its own register, which is compiled using a community-based targeting approach undertaken by targeting teams and enumerators employed by the states and overseen by their respective ministries of planning.
NEC’s Concerns and Recommendations:
The National Economic Council, presided over by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, raised doubts about the credibility of the existing national social register, which was originally compiled under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
As an alternative, they proposed a cash transfer program for states based on their individual social registers, along with a six-month cash reward policy for public servants.
Collaboration between NASSCO and NBS:
NASSCO further explained that they collaborate with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on various initiatives related to poverty, including the national living standards survey (NLSS).
This collaborative effort aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of poverty in the country and devise targeted solutions to address socio-economic imbalances and inequality.
The Objectives of the National Social Investments Programme (NSIP):
The National Social Investments Programme (NSIP) was established by the federal government in 2016 to address both short-term and long-term socio-economic imbalances and inequality in Nigeria.
The initiatives under this program are designed to distribute resources more evenly and support vulnerable populations across the country.
Government Allocation for the Program:
To launch and support the National Social Investments Programme, the government approved an immediate release of N25 billion.
This financial allocation underscores the government’s commitment to tackling poverty and providing much-needed assistance to those in need.
Conclusion:
In response to criticisms and concerns raised by the National Economic Council, the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO) has clarified the composition of Nigeria’s social register and emphasized its collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on poverty-related initiatives.
The National Social Investments Programme (NSIP) continues to be an essential government initiative aimed at reducing socio-economic disparities and providing support to vulnerable populations across the nation.
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