From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
A group of patriotic citizens, popularly known as Jigawa Social Protection Platform (JiSOP) has decried alleged non remittance of pledges to Disability Trust funds by chairmen of 27 Local government of Jigawa state.
JiSOP Chairman, comrade Shuaibu Musa Kafin-Gana made this point while during an advocacy visit to Executive Secretary, Jigawa State Rehabilitation board, in Dutse.
Kafin-Gana, who appreciated the Board secretary for the audience said, the board is committed to issues of persons living with disabilities, pregnant and lactating mothers.
He explained that the platform visited the office to follow up on Disability Fund and Social Security allowances for Persons Living with Disabilities (PwDs) and constitution of Disability Fund implementation committee.
According to him “So far, all civil servants are remitting their pledges to the Trust Fund after the platform conducted advocacy to NLU, Salary and wages but, the LGA Chairmen despite series of Advocacy to Chairman AlGON and Ministry for Local Government, yet no single remittance from their part.”
Kafin Gana also raised the concern around the private sectors and individuals who are yet to redeem their pledges as they promised since last year during the launch of the trust fund.
Also, the chairman appealed for the formation of the Implementation Committee for the Disability Fund for accountability and transparency.
However, the JiSOP Chairman lamented non replacement of beneficiaries for the social security allowance as many of the beneficiaries lost their lives.
Responding, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Sale Zakar, appreciated the platform for their relentless efforts and promised to look in to all issues Raised.
Zakar promised to meet with chairman ALGON on the pledges made by the LGA Chairmen and discuss on how address the challenges.
Responding to formation of Disability Trust funds committee, the Executive secretary said, already a committee have been established and appointment letters will be issued to the members of the committee, adding that, the replacement of beneficiaries of Social Security Allowance is due and work together to see it happened.
While speaking at another advocacy visit to commissioner women affairs, the JiSOP Chairman said, after writing a communique to the governor for the need of social security for the elderly, the recognized the request and provided #500m for the Elderly and Orphans with the directive of implementation to be at the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
He called on the ministry to collaborate with ACF ESPID to work out strategies that will benefit target beneficiaries just like the JMCCT.
On her part, The Commissioner Hajiya Hadiza Abdulwahab said her Ministry doors are open for recommendations and suggestions that will help in operations of the Ministry noting that the Contribution of civil Society Organizations are key.
According to her, so far the N500 million have been reflected in the ministry 2024 budget, adding that Committee for Disability Fund have been established, which had JiSOP included in the committee.
