TheCable

Civil society organisations with interest in the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) in Ogun and Kaduna states say they have resolved to help monitor distribution of food to households during the lockdown.

President Muahhamdu Buhari had ordered a lockdown in Abuja, Ogun and Lagos to contain the spread of COVID-19. 

In his address, the president had said although schools are closed, he had instructed the ministry of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development to work with state governments in developing a strategy on how to sustain the school feeding programme during this period.

The feeding programme which began in 2016, is a government project with the aim of “improving the health and educational outcomes of public primary school pupils.” 

The civil society groups, in a statement, said it is important to put in place accountability structures and measures that will ensure that the full value of this significant investment is realised. 

“It is with this background that we call on the federal government, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, and all the state governors, their cabinet members and the entire government architecture to re-commit themselves to the fight against corruption even as we battle the coronavirus pandemic,” the statement read. 

“The role of citizens in the effective management of state affairs cannot be overemphasised; therefore the current global pandemic calls for the involvement of all stakeholders in shaping and finding solutions. 

“In view of this, we have resolved to :1. Support governments’ effort through the various structures/mechanisms being put in place by the respective state governments. 2. Work with the different community-based groups and individuals whom we have been working with over the years, to complement the efforts of government by monitoring the proposed federal government distribution of food packages to the households who have children in public schools and are current beneficiaries of the HGSFP in their various communities. 3. Share the findings of our involvement in the on-going exercise at different levels for learning and decision making purposes.  

“We call on governments at different levels to see this support as action for the common good of the Nigerian people and therefore be receptive to the participation of civil society organisations in the national, state and local government level committees set up to plan and implement the COVID-19 related interventions.”    

The civil society organisations include; ActionAid International, Nigeria, Action Health Incorporated, Centre for Women’s Health and Information, Connecting Gender for Development, Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria, Girl Child Concerns, Nigerian Popular Theatre Alliance, The Education Partnership Centre and Women Consortium of Nigeria.