The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq has expressed intent to adopt some Women Empowerment Programs initiated by the Kaduna state government.
This is contain in a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Nneka Anibeze and made available to HammerTimes on Sunday.
According to the statement, Farouq made this known during a courtesy visit to Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai at the weekend where she delivered COVID-19 palliatives and flood relief items to the state government.
The Minister who discussed other Social Investment Programs of the state with the Governor added that some of the programs targeted at women could be replicated by the ministry to further empower vulnerable women all over the country.
Farouq also directed that the state Focal Person on Social Investment Programs meets with the state Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs to exchange ideas on how some of their empowerment programs can be actualised.
She also conveyed the sympathy of the Federal Government to the people of Kaduna State over the windstorms and floods which occurred in some Local Government Areas of the State.
“I am here to present to you, assorted grains from the National Food Reserve approved by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR as palliatives for distribution to vulnerable persons affected by the movement restriction to curtail the spread of COVID-19 pandemic and also convey the sympathy of the Federal Government following the destruction of property by windstorms and floods.
“We will also brainstorm with the state to see how we can replicate some of your women empowerment programs for wider participation”, she said.
Meanwhile, El- Rufai expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the intervention and support given to the state after several communities were affected by windstorms and floods.
The Governor also revealed that he had expanded the Social Register in the state to accommodate more beneficiaries in the Conditional Cash Transfer Program.
“I am grateful to the Federal government for coming to our aid at this difficult time.
“The palliatives and relief materials will go a long way in alleviating the hardship being experienced by the people as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the windstorms.
“However, we have expanded our Social Register so that more people who are in need of these funds can assess it.
“The Social Register covers the whole local government areas of the state, but I discovered that there are a lot of misconduct being perpetuated in the the Conditional Cash Transfer Program.
“Anyone found compromising or trying to divert funds meant for the vulnerable in Kaduna state will be dealt with accordingly,” El-Rufai stated.
Farouq later presented COVID-19 palliatives including 50 trailers of maize, 53 trailers of sorghum and 6 trailers of millet for 443, 025 households.
Specifically, the Minister presented 730 bags of Rice, 730 bags of Maize, 730 bags of Beans, 73 kegs of Palm oil, 60 cartons of seasoning, 37 bags of iodized salt, 85 cartons of tomato paste, 1,460 Blankets, 1,460 mattresses, 1,460 Nylon mats, 1,460 pieces of Mosquito nets.
Others are 630 bags of Cement, 630 bundles of Roofing sheets, 630 pieces of Ceiling boards, 105 bags of 3 inches Nails and 210 packets of Zinc Nails