World Bank to Nasarawa: Include more poor, vulnerable persons in social register

The only sure way to reach out to the people, especially during challenging times is for the poor and vulnerable persons to be captured in the social register to enable them enjoy support and intervention as a result of any possible human and natural disaster that might be fall them.

Lire Ersado, the World Bank task team Leader of the NG-CARES, who was speaking during his visit to Governor Abdullahi Sule in Abuja, urged the state government to include more vulnerables to address issues of poverty among others in the Society.

The task team Leader, however commended the state for achieving tremendous success under the NG-CARES programme, saying the performance from the state are evidence based, and a very good example for states to emulate.

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He added that, Nasarawa state has set the pace for federal government to emulate as well.

While appreciating state government investment in the poor and vulnerable persons, Lire announced that, the World Bank will be moving into the next phase of the NG-CARES programme for more capturing and participation.

According to him, the world bank would be, in the next phase focusing more on sustaining the gains that have been made, and enhancing institutions that deliver these key services for the poor and vulnerable.

“What we discussed was to greatly appreciate and congratulate the State of Nasarawa for the great achievement under NG-CARES. The results from Nasarawa are very impressive and set a very good example for other states and for Nigeria and beyond.

“We want His Excellency to know how much we appreciate all the investments that he is making for the poor and vulnerable people of Nasarawa State,” Ersado stated.

He stressed that, the World Bank will be focusing more on consolidating the gains so far made, and harped on the importance of continued investment in the people of the state, with particular emphasis on investing in the social register of the state.

According to Ersado, even though Nasarawa State is doing a good job, the World Bank wants the state to be able to include all the poor and vulnerable in the social register.

“I spoke on the importance of continued investment in the people of Nasarawa and, in particular, the importance of investing in the social registry of the state.

“Nasarawa is already doing a good job, but we want more to include all the poor and vulnerable and beyond. We all know that when poverty or shock strikes, the state has to be ready to provide support and immediate notice.

“When flooding, drought, or pandemics like Covid strike, the state needs to be ready to deliver support to the poor and vulnerable,” he said.

The World Bank representative was led on the visit by Umar Ibrahim Dahiru, Nasarawa State Coordinator/CEO, NG-CARES programme.