By: Femi Mustapha
The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has called on the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to approve the Delta State Social Protection Bill (2023) recently passed by the State House of Assembly.
Erhisohwode Assurance Ovie, the Delta State Programme Officer for the Act Naija Project, stated that the bill marks a significant milestone in the fight against poverty and aims to ensure that every resident of Delta State can live with dignity and access opportunities for social and economic advancement.
Ovie highlighted that Delta State continues to face serious poverty challenges, with over 1.5 million residents—approximately 27% of the state’s population—living in multidimensional poverty.
He further noted that the bill will establish a legal framework for implementing, coordinating, and sustaining social protection initiatives, thereby ensuring predictability, transparency, and accountability.
Governor Oborevwori has already shown a commitment to social welfare and poverty reduction through ongoing initiatives, including the Delta State Contributory Health Scheme, the Delta COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (D-CARES) initiative, and the Widows Welfare Scheme. Approving the bill will consolidate these achievements and ensure they are secured by law.
At the Delta State Dialogue on Social Protection, the Deputy Governor reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to enhancing social protection delivery and ensuring that no resident is left behind.
The ActNaija consortium has expressed its 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 to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1 – No Poverty.
