EKSG Approves Expansion of Social Register for Enhanced Social Intervention Coverage.

EKSG Approves Expansion of Social Register for Enhanced Social Intervention Coverage.

The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has approved the expansion of the State Social Register, a crucial database for identifying and supporting poor and vulnerable residents eligible for social intervention programmes.

This decision was announced by the State Commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning, and Performance Management, Mr Niyi Adebayo, during a sensitisation meeting with the Chairmen of the state’s 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 22 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Ado-Ekiti.

Addressing the stakeholders, Mr Adebayo highlighted the indispensable role of community leaders, including traditional rulers, market leaders, and ward councillors, in ensuring the expansion process is inclusive and unbiased. “The register will now accommodate additional vulnerable households, as some have exited the vulnerability threshold while others have newly fallen into it,” Adebayo stated. He also shared that, since its inception in 2014, the register has catalogued 154,105 households and 581,003 individual members, facilitating access to various state-run interventions like the Skill for Job, Public Work Programme, EK-CARES, Livelihood Grants, and Special Grant Transfer for the elderly.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Performance Management, Mr Sola Akinluyi, underscored the register’s critical role as a foundation for targeted interventions. He explained that Ekiti’s Social Register was initially developed through a Community-Based Targeting (CBT) approach, with support from the World Bank, which helped conduct 19 rounds of CBT activities across the state. This current expansion marks the first time the project is solely funded by the Ekiti State Government without external assistance, he revealed.

Additionally, Mr Abiodun Ariyo, Project Coordinator of the State Operation Coordinating Unit, confirmed that the expansion exercise would be driven by local communities, with members selecting beneficiaries themselves. Ariyo urged the Chairmen to ensure the safety of Community Development Officers (CDOs), enumerators, and the CBT Team, particularly in areas facing security risks. He emphasised the need for awareness and support for this exercise, stating, “This register is inclusive, designed to benefit all vulnerable individuals contributing to their community’s development.”

The meeting concluded with a call for full cooperation among all stakeholders, ensuring a smooth and comprehensive expansion process.

#KeepingEkitiWorking #BAOGovernance #SharedProsperity #SocialInclusion