Uba Sani: Rising poverty shows social intervention programmes aren’t reaching the poor

Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna, says the country’s growing poverty index indicates that many poor people are not benefitting from the government’s social intervention programmes.

Sani spoke on Saturday when Nentawe Yilwatda, minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty reduction, paid him a courtesy visit at the government house in Kaduna.

“There is something wrong with the various social registers in the states,” he said.

The governor advised the minister to “check the authenticity of the social registers because the figures from the National Bureau of Statistics, highlighting the nation’s poverty index, are scary”.

He added that several interventions designed to help the poor do not reach rural areas because they are financially excluded.

The Kaduna governor said his administration would ensure that social interventions reach the poor and underserved through financial inclusion.

He said more than 2.2 million residents have opened bank accounts for the state government’s social intervention programmes.

“The first executive order that I signed as the governor of Kaduna state is the executive order on financial inclusion. Right now, over 2.2 million people have opened bank accounts in Kaduna state,” the governor said.

“Our target is that everyone in Kaduna state should have a bank account so that the poor and vulnerable can benefit from the social interventions of both the state and federal government.”

Sani said President Bola Tinubu’s administration is focused on job creation and poverty reduction, noting that the Kaduna government is undertaking the construction of three vocational centers in the state.

He added that his administration is transforming the Panteka market into a skills acquisition hub, engaging over 38,000 artisans.

“The Kaduna state government is also collaborating with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to provide certification for graduates of Panteka Market,’’ he added.

On his part, Yilwatda said the governor’s initiatives are in sync with federal government objectives, demonstrating strategic alignment.

The minister added that Sani’s “inclusive governance style” has brought peace to Kaduna, attracting politicians from other parties to the All Progressive Congress (APC).