The Katsina State House of Assembly is committed to enacting laws that benefit the public, prioritising the interests of the less privileged and people with special needs.

Deputy speaker Abduljalal Runka stated this while opening a public hearing on establishing a social protection intervention agency.

The public hearing, he said, was aimed at hearing the opinions of relevant stakeholders and assisting lawmakers in creating an effective SP intervention agency.

Mr Runka, who is also the chairman of the Social Protection Legislative Forum, said the executive bill is named Social Investment and Protection Intervention Agency.

Also speaking, a director in the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Tijjani Umar, suggested that the agency be named Social Protection Investment Agency.

”The bill has provided the sources of funding for the agency when established. The initial take-off grant is coming from the state and local governments.

”At least, 0.5 per cent of the state government and 0.1 per cent from each of the 34 local governments’ monthly grants will be allocated to the agency.

”Also, at least 0.1 per cent is expected from the state annual internally Generated Revenue (IGR) will be allocated to finance the SP intervention programmes,” he said.

Hudu Usman, the senior special adviser to Governor Dikko Radda on people with special needs, said the bill aims to ensure the well-being of those with special needs.

Usman assured that the agency would tackle street begging if established, citing an example from some southern states where such an agency had been established.

The permanent secretary of the State Department of Girl Child Education and Girls Development, Aminu Badaru, said the agency will greatly support the department.

The representative of the Katsina social protection network, Malam Muhammad Ibrahim-Maifada, assured the assembly of his support for the passage of the bill.

(NAN)