News Editor
From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi
Benue State Government in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), have expressed commitment to ensure the successful implementation of the state action plans for the health and progress of citizens and development of the state.
They made the commitment in Makurdi on Thursday, during the public presentation of the policy documents which include the Benue State Development Plan (2025-2034), Social Protection Policy (2024-2029), Benue state Multi-sectoral plan of action for Food and Nutrition and the State Nutrition Policy.
Speaking during the event, the state Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, who was represented by the SSG, Barr. Serlumun Abeh, appreciated UNICEF and everyone involved in making the policy a success.
While acknowledging that a lot of manpower has gone into putting up the three policies said they would be a roadmap for the state and a reference material for all to ensure that what needs to be done is done.
While stating that having a policy is not enough, Alia who noted that he is not paying lip service to the projects said the state have had figures that were not so good. He said Nutrition is capture in the 2005 budget and all hand must be on deck to achieve smooth implementation of the policies.
The Chief of Field Office for UNICEF, Enugu Field Office, Juliet Chiluwe congratulated the Benue state government on the public presentation of the 10-year State Development Plan, the
5-year Social Protection Policy, the Food and Nutrition Policy and the 5-year Multisectoral Action Plan for Food and Nutrition.
She said UNICEF is delighted by the commitment, passion, and desire of the state in achieving the feat adding that the plan would set the state on the path to achieving the
vision and objectives of this administration and beyond.
“We are positive that if these plans and policies are supported by robust budgetary provisions and adequately implemented, they will enhance the sustainable development efforts of the state.
“As UNICEF, we are prepared to continue supporting the state towards the achievement of the strategic results in these documents and other national and global priorities, as we are committed to strengthen the already existing collaboration with the good people of Benue state.”
The DG, State Budget and Economic Planning Commission, Prof Jerome Andohol thanked UNICEF for their support towards having the development plans expressing joy that the documents which have been signed by the governor would put the state on the part of development.
The Executive Secretary, Benue State Primary Health Care Board, (PHCB) Mrs Ashi Wende said most of the projects under the program would be implemented by her office assuring that they would do the needful to ensure that implementation is done in the 23 LGAs.
She appreciated UNICEF for their support just as the Chairman of BENGONET, Lazarus Mom, represented by Mr Daniel Seer, assured that local NGOs, having been involved in the preparation of the policies, would ensure that implementation is a huge success.
