SURE-P: Maina harps on women, other vulnerable groups’ intervention

ABUJA (Women Affairs Ministry Report) – As Nigerians enjoy the benefits of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) further interventions are now being sought to cater for Women, Children, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), the Elderly and other vulnerable groups in the country.

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Zainab Maina said this during a visit to the Chairman of SURE-P, noting that her request was in view of the mandate of the Ministry to cater to those groups and enable them achieve their goals.
 
She demanded for the deployment of funds in the specific programmes of the two micro-credit schemes – the Women Fund for Economic Empowerment (WOFEE) and the Business and Development Fund for Women (BUDFOW).  Other areas, she mentioned were the completion and putting into use of twelve centres out of over seventy Skills Acquisition Centres, comprising two per Geo-political zone. “This will enable the Ministry assist women in difficult situations, especially widows, displaced women/families that are now homeless, distressed and other vulnerable women, among others,” she added.  
 
Zainab Maina informed that support is required to enable the Ministry assist Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the society through the provision of aids and appliances, including their economic empowerment. She further appealed for SURE-P’s backing towards addressing the programmes and projects initiated by the Ministry for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC), young girls with VVF and women victims of domestic violence.
 
According to her, the whole idea is to enable women and the other identified groups contribute to the growth of the national economy. She expressed belief that the appointment of the Chairman of Sure-P was in regard to his commitment and dedication to duty; enjoining him to use the special intervention programme of President Goodluck Jonathan to make impact in the development of Nigeria.
 
In his response to the brief, the SURE-P Chairman, Martin Luther Agwai (Gen Rtd.) assured that the Federal Government through the SURE-P Social Safety Net programme would work with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. He further revealed that the Ministry is a member of the Inter-Ministerial Consultative Committee on the Community Services, Women and Youths Employment Project of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).
 
He added that SURE-P was created to as well address issues of poverty and vulnerable groups. “Under the mass transit scheme, the needs of persons with disabilities are taken care of as the Government is doing a lot under the Social Safety Net programme of SURE-P,” he attested. Martin Luther Agwai inferred that the programme would live up to its responsibility and work in tandem with stakeholders to ensure that the funds are judiciously utilized for the benefit of all Nigerians.