By Samaila Bayo, Birnin kebbi
The European Union and four implementing consortium led by Oxfam have flagged off a 36 months N16bn EU-SOSAN funded direct community empowerment interventions project.
The intervention include cash transfers, food security initiatives, and capacity building for over 328,838 households in kebbi State.
The Executive Director of Oxfam, Tijani Ahmad-Hamza, during a state level inception meeting of the project in Birnin Kebbi said the EU-funded Support to Social Safety Net (SOSAN) project in Kebbi is set to reach no fewer than 44,740 vulnerable households in six Local Government Areas of Augie, Bagudo, Gwandu, Jega, Shanga and Danko/Wasagu.
He said the €10 million project (Over N16 billion) was designed to strengthen social protection systems through inclusive, gender-transformative and climate-smart safety nets in the state.
He also explained that the 36-month initiative would directly impact 328,838 beneficiaries and provide indirect support to more than 485,000 people across six Local Government Areas of the state.
He said "the project is being implemented by a consortium comprising Oxfam as the lead partner, Solidarités International, Jireh Doo Foundation, and the Association of Women with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (ASWHAN).
“We are partners working together to deliver this project, which is aimed at rapidly reducing multidimensional poverty and enhancing climate resilience in Kebbi".
He said the initiative would also establish a secure, automated and transparent State Social Safety Net Register to enable the state government to effectively manage interventions and attract future investments.
“It will also establish community food banks to address hunger during lean seasons, as well as provide climate-smart agricultural training and solar-powered technologies to farmers and youth,” he said.
At the meeting, Governor Nasir Idris commended the EU and its implementing partners for their dedication in the state.He assured the state government’s commitment to the implementation of the project and to ensuring its sustainability beyond its lifespan.
