LAGOS INAUGURATES TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP ON SOCIAL PROTECTION IMPLEMENTATION

The Lagos State Government, on Tuesday, at Dover Hotel Aromire-Ikeja inaugurated the technical working group on social protection implementation for the State.

Inaugurating the Committee, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ibrahim Obajomo, who will also chair the implementation committee, said the inauguration is in tandem with State Government efforts to demonstrate its commitment to the principle of shared prosperity and accelerate inclusive growth across the State.

He explained that the present administration had approved the establishment of a Social Protection Coordinating Department (SPCD) in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget to continuously develop the standards and systems for efficient and effective tracking of Social Interventions and Social Investments aimed at eradicating poverty in Lagos State.

He added that the State Executive Council had approved the Lagos State Social Protection Policy (LASPP) in August, 2020 which necessitated the establishment of SPCD in the Ministry in 2021 (the first of its kind in Nigeria) to give effect to the commitment of Mr. Babajide  Sanwo-Olu’s administration desire to tackle poverty headlong and in a more structured manner.

Obajomo stated that the Social Protection Policy implementation shall focus on six major areas, which are: Social Assistance, Social Care, Social Insurance, Labour Market Interventions, System Strengthening and Provision of complementary measures.

He said: “It is in this regard, that all Social-Functional MDAs have been mapped and Focal Persons nominated from these Agencies. Today, we are gathered here to witness the official inauguration of the Technical Working Working Group (TWG) on Social Protection Implementation in Lagos State”.

“Having gained the confidence of your Ministry with this nomination, I charge you all to remain committed to the discharge of your duties by providing on a timely basis accurate data to SPCD, as a repository of social protection data in the State”, he added.

While pledging continued State Government support for the development of a viable social protection system, Obajomo appealed to Accounting Officers of all MDAs, especially the Social Functional ones, Local Government Chairmen, Corporate Organisations through Corporate Social Investments (CSIs), Development Partners and Philanthropists to cooperate with the Ministry and embrace its drive to banish poverty from Lagos State.

He reiterated that, in this way, we can together build a veritable social protection system that seeks to uplift poor and vulnerable households by providing them with a life of dignity, improve human capital development, garner inclusive growth, achieve sustainable development goals, march forward for the realisation of Lagos State Development Plan (LSDP 2052) towards making Lagos, a 21st Century Economy.

The Permanent Secretary also seized the opportunity to acknowledge the significant support received from UNICEF, UNDP, FGN/NASSCO, STANBIC IBTC, MDAs, NGOs and CSOs, urging them to renew their efforts. He also solicited increased collaboration on the part of other stakeholders so that all efforts are geared towards uplifting the vulnerable and the achievements of shared prosperity.