By Stella Edoka
The Kogi State House of Assembly has called on the State Government to formulate and implement a comprehensive Social Protection Policy framework to safeguard citizens and businesses during disasters.
The resolution followed a motion presented by the Deputy Speaker and member representing Ibaji Constituency, Comfort Nwuchiola Egwaba, during plenary in Lokoja.
Egwaba noted that whenever disasters occur whether through the recurring floods in Ibaji and other riverine communities or medical emergencies that overwhelm vulnerable families, the people turn to the government for support.
She lamented that while donations and relief materials often come in, such interventions are temporary and inadequate for long-term recovery.
The Deputy Speaker stressed that social protection was not an act of charity but a constitutional mandate, backed by the 1999 Constitution and consistent with the 2022 National Social Protection Policy.
According to her, establishing a state-level framework would ensure coordinated planning, financing, monitoring, and delivery of sustainable social support.
The Deputy Speaker urged the State Government to initiate the development of the policy and tasked the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning to collaborate with the Ministries of Women Affairs and Social Development, and Health, ensuring broad stakeholder participation.
The motion attracted support from lawmakers who expressed concern over the rising human suffering caused by recurrent flooding, economic hardship, and increasing vulnerability.
Ruling on the motion, Speaker Aliyu Umar Yusuf underscored the necessity of providing effective social protection for the people of Kogi State.
Edited by Ajifa Ainoko
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