A Bill seeking to establish a National Poverty Eradication Commission has been read for the third time and passed by the Senate on Thursday 17th November, 2016. The Bill was read for the second time in April 2016 and referred to its Committees on Poverty Alleviation and National Planning.
Presenting the report of the Committees, Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (APC:Kano) mentioned that the Bill was apt as it would provide a legal and regulatory framework for government policies and programmes aimed at eradicating poverty in the country. He also blamed the failure of some past policies and programmes such as the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) and Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) on the absence of a legal and regulatory framework. Sen. Kwankwaso stated that the bill would strengthen the execution of poverty eradication programmes in Nigeria.
Some of the proposed functions of the Commission include:
- To coordinate and monitor all poverty eradication activities;
- Coordinate, monitor and advise on all social protection activities of Government;
- Assist in formulating and reviewing policies on poverty eradication;
- Provide technical expertise to and sensitize all levels of government and organizations on poverty eradication issues; and
- Evaluate and monitor the level of social amenities throughout the country with direct impact on the poor amongst others.
Commenting on the Bill, Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki (APC:Kwara), emphasized that poverty eradication is a responsibility of government and establishing the Commission was the right step to eradicating poverty in all parts of the country.
