Delta State Governor Urged to Assent to Social Protection Bill

From:Femi Oyelola in Kaduna

The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has called on the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to assent to the Delta State Social Protection Bill (2023) passed by the State House of Assembly.

According to Erhisohwode Assurance Ovie, Delta State Programme Officer under the Act Naija Project, the bill represents a significant milestone in the fight against poverty, ensuring that every Deltan can live with dignity and access opportunities for social and economic advancement. ¹

Ovie emphasized that Delta State continues to face significant poverty challenges, with over 1.5 million Deltans, representing about 27% of the state’s population, living in multidimensional poverty.

He noted that the bill will provide a legal framework for implementing, coordinating, and sustaining social protection initiatives, ensuring predictability, transparency, and accountability.

Governor Oborevwori has already demonstrated a commitment to social welfare and poverty reduction through ongoing interventions, including the Delta State Contributory Health Scheme, the Delta COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (D-CARES) initiative, and the Widows Welfare Scheme. Assenting to the bill will consolidate these achievements and ensure they are protected by law. ²

The Deputy Governor of Delta State, at the Delta State Dialogue on Social Protection, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to strengthening social protection delivery and ensuring no Deltan is left behind.

The ActNaija consortium expressed readiness to support the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of social protection interventions once the bill is signed into law.

Signing the bill into law will position Delta State to attract additional funding and technical support from international partners, aligning with Nigeria’s national strategy for achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1 – No Poverty.