LAGOS SET TO INITIATE SOCIAL PROTECTION BASKET FUND

The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, has indicated its commitment to initiate a Social Protection Basket Fund in the State. 

The Fund, according to the Ministry, will pool contributions from the State Government and public to bolster social protection initiatives, support priorities, and ensure adequate resource allocation and implementation by the Socio-Functional Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (SFMDAs) in the State. 

This was made known through the Social Protection Coordinating Department (SPCD) of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget at the Second Quarter Review meeting of the Technical Working Group on the Implementation of the Lagos State Social Protection Policy held recently at the Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Alausa, Ikeja.

At the meeting, which included representatives from Socio-Functional Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, International Development Partners, Social Protection Consultants, Community Development Associations, and SPCD staff, the need for synergy among Social Protection stakeholders was key to enhancing the effectiveness and reach of Social Protection measures was emphasised

Part of the conclusions reached at the event is that by working together, SFMDAs, International Development Partners, and community organisations can pool resources, share expertise, and coordinate strategies to create a comprehensive and inclusive Social Protection Delivery system. 

Furthermore, SPCD will also continuously monitor government expenditure in social protection using a result-based budgetary and management framework. However, the Department has been urged to prioritise Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHIV) in the implementation of social protection measures as there is a need for all parties to promote awareness of the HIV/AIDS Anti-Stigma Law.

Participants agreed that individuals with HIV/AIDS should be prioritised in the Lagos State Single Social Register (LASSR), with relevant agencies such as LASACA continuing to provide antiretroviral medications. They also stressed the importance of ongoing sensitisation and awareness efforts regarding the Anti-Stigma Law.

Other resolutions from the review meeting included: SPCD will continuously engage with community development associations concerning the National Social Register (NSR) and NIN integration. Ongoing monitoring of government expenditure in the social protection delivery system to enable strategic performance evaluation. Focal persons from the SFMDAs also pledged their commitment to the prompt submission of returns and other documents as required.

The meeting was attended by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Lekan Balogun; the Coordinating Director of MEPB, Mr. Aderemi Olajide; the Director of SPCD, Mrs. Oluwakemi Garbadeen Adedeji; members of the Technical Working Group; representatives of international development partners and social protection consultants, among others.