Pulse.ng : KTSG, UNICEF validate state development plan for effective financial management

By Abbas Bamalli

The Katsina State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Funds (UNICEF) embarked on validation of the State Development Plan (SDP), on social protection policy.

Speaking at the opening of the exercise, Mr Rahama Farah, the UNICEF Chief, Kano field office said the validation was to ensure effective public finance management.

“The plan is indeed an effective foundation and a platform to design a coherent public policy and an effective public finance management to ensure an equitable access to basic social services.

“The revision of the plan was needed to reflect the blueprint of the current administration in Katsina State, that will ensure a public policy and implementation that is consistent with their vision for equitable socio-economic and sustainable development.

“UNICEF’s expectation is that the validation of the revised SDP will ascertain the situation of emerging major development problems, and the constraints and development trends in the state.

“As well as to incorporate the emerging opportunities and truly based on the aspirations of the state populations, particularly women, children, youth and marginalised groups,” Farah said.

He added that UNICEF hopes that the SDP will proffer guiding principles, development objectives and targeted strategies for equitable improvement of the living conditions of the populations.

According to him, especially the living condition of the children, while looking at the several multidimensional deprivations surrounding children’s poverty.

He further explained that, “UNICEF looks forward to having the finalised SDP and approved by Gov. Dikko Radda as soon as possible.

“I take this opportunity to urge you all to ensure that the task of having the SDP approved by the Katsina state governor is accomplished.

“UNICEF also expects that once the plan is approved, translated into an effective and efficient action that supports the implementation strategy and a monitoring framework is designed.

“And implemented to ensure results for child sensitive interventions, including Education, Health, Nutrition, WASH, Child Protection and Social Protection are achieved.

It is recalled that the Katsina State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning with the support of UNICEF commenced the review of the state social protection policy.