A non-governmental organisation, Network on Social Protection Advocacy in Nigeria, has urged the federal government to expand its social intervention programmes to vulnerable people in rural communities.

The group’s National Coordinator, Taiwo Benson, made the appeal on Monday during an interview with journalists in Abuja.

Mr Benson said the call became necessary in view of the current economic realities, where the majority of the citizens at the grass-roots are living below poverty level.

He said, “We are appealing to the federal government to expand the existing social investment programmes to reach out to vulnerable populations at the grassroots level. People are really suffering. So many Nigerians have been pushed into poverty. Expanding the social register to capture the grass-roots population will help reduce the poverty rate.’’

Mr Benson also observed that sharing food items as palliatives would not take people out of poverty, but could only provide short-term relief.

He, therefore, asked the government to implement policies and programmes that would promote income generation and financial inclusion for people at the local level.

The group’s national coordinator also called on stakeholders to partner with relevant agencies to strengthen the existing institutions charged with the responsibility of implementing social investment programmes.

He underscored the need for state governments to prioritise empowerment programmes and projects in view of the increased monthly revenue allocation accruing to them.

According to him, the federal government should not be singled out for blame for the poverty in the land when the states were receiving so much but could not account for the funds. 

(NAN)