ADHA M/Leader Sponsors Bill to Establish Social Protection for Citizens

The Majority Leader Adamawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Kate Raymond Mamuno (Demsa Constituency), has sponsored a bill for a law to provide for Adamawa State Social Protection.

The new bill has since been committed to the House Committee of Women Affairs and Social Development for further legislative action.

The Speaker of the assembly, Rt. Hon. Bathiya Wesley, referred the bill to the committee after its 1st and 2nd reading by the lawmakers and gave the committee 2 weeks to submit its report.

According to the sponsor, the bill seeks to provide a legal framework for the establishment, regulation, and implementation of Social Protection in Adamawa State.

Leading debate on the general principles of the bill, the only female lawmaker, Hon. Kate Mamuno, posited that the  purpose of the bill is to guarantee the welfare of all citizens, particularly the poor and vulnerable, ensuring access to basic social services, livelihood support, and protection against poverty, risks, and shocks.

She said that Adamawa State, like many others in Nigeria, faces multiple socio-economic challenges, including poverty, unemployment, insecurity, displacement, natural disasters, and social inequalities.

 

She said, "These challenges have left a significant number of citizens exposed to deprivation, hunger, and vulnerability. The absence of a comprehensive legal framework for social protection has resulted in fragmented interventions that fail to adequately address these problems.

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She further explained that the bill seeks to recognize and guarantee the right of every citizen in Adamawa State, especially the poor, vulnerable, and marginalised groups, to live with dignity and security.

"Social protection is anchored on the constitutional responsibility of government to provide for the welfare of its people. The Bill provides a legal framework for the design, coordination, and implementation of social protection interventions in the State. It harmonises existing fragmented welfare initiatives into a coherent and sustainable system", She stated.

She added that the bill if passed, assented and implemented will reduce extreme poverty, cushion the impact of economic shocks, and prevent vulnerable citizens from falling deeper into deprivation, saying that it prioritises support for children, women, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and households in situations of extreme need.

On the promotion of human capital development, She hinted that the law will ensure access to healthcare, education, nutrition, and livelihood support, social protection strengthens the productivity and resilience of citizens.

"Mr Speaker, My Hon. Colleagues, this bill will provide an enabling environment for economic growth and inclusive development, ensures that citizens affected by conflict, floods, or other crises are not left destitute", She stated..

According to her, it also provides for collaboration with local governments, development partners, civil society, and the private sector to ensure sustainability.

She disclosed that the proposed bill also seeks to align Adamawa State with Nigeria’s National Social Protection Policy, the National Social Investment and international commitments.

After highlighting the merits of the bill, Hon. Kate Raymond Mamuno urged her colleagues to allow it be read the second time and also support it subsequent stages for the benefit of our citizens.

The lawmakers, who co-sponsored the bill, unanimously supported the 2nd reading of the bill.