A proposal aimed at establishing government actions to enhance the lives of the impoverished and vulnerable has progressed to the committee stage in the Adamawa State House of Assembly. The Adamawa State Social Protection Draft Bill, introduced by Majority Leader Kate Mamuno, is intended to create a law that significantly improves the circumstances of disadvantaged individuals in the state. Following its first and second readings by the legislature, the bill was assigned by Speaker Mathiya Wesley to the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, which has two weeks to present its report. This bill was formulated as part of the Supporting Sustainable Social Protection, Participation, and Economic Resilience project in Northeast Nigeria, implemented by GIZ with funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the European Union, and was endorsed by stakeholders during a conference in Abuja last month. During the initial readings in the Assembly, the bill’s sponsor detailed its goal of establishing a legal framework for the creation, management, and execution of social protection initiatives in Adamawa State. Leading the discussion on the bill’s fundamental principles, Mamuno emphasized that it aims to ensure the welfare of all citizens, especially the poor and vulnerable, given the numerous socio-economic challenges facing the state, such as poverty, unemployment, insecurity, displacement, natural disasters, and various social inequalities. She noted that these issues have left many citizens experiencing deprivation and hunger, all while there is no comprehensive legal framework for social protection, leading to disjointed interventions that do not sufficiently tackle existing issues. “Social protection is based on the government’s constitutional duty to care for its citizens.” “The legislation establishes a legal structure for creating, coordinating, and executing social protection measures within the state,” she stated. She further noted that the bill consolidates the current disjointed welfare programs into a unified and sustainable framework, asserting, “If this bill is approved and implemented, it will help to alleviate extreme poverty, mitigate the effects of economic crises, and protect at-risk individuals from experiencing further hardships.” She stated that the legislation emphasizes assistance for children, women, individuals with disabilities, the elderly, and families facing severe hardship, while also guaranteeing access to healthcare and education.
