By Chijioke Okoronkwo
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the revised National Social Protection Policy 2021 to 2022.
Clem Agba, Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, announced this while briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting, presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to the minister, the National Social Protection Council will be chaired by the Vice-President.
“One additional memo that was also presented by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning is the revised National Social Protection Policy.
“Council approved the revised National Social Protection Policy 2021 to 2025.
“This revised National Social Protection Policy is an offshoot of a previous policy that was implemented from 2017 to 2020.
“The review was carried out in collaboration with all relevant Ministries Departments and Agencies at both the federal and State levels as well as other key stakeholders, including development partners.”
Agba recalled that when the first policy was in place, there was no ministry like Humanitarian Affairs.
According to him, the review has become imperative since the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development now exists.
“In reviewing this policy, Statewide consultations were embarked on to harness advice and ideas from all stakeholders for the efficient and effective coordination of the policy.
“The National Social Protection Council is to be set up and to be chaired by the vice president, with the secretariat domiciled in the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.
“The Minister of Labour and Employment and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development will serve as Vice-Chairs of that council.
“Also, there’s going to be a technical working group, which will be co-chaired by those two ministers,” Agba said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)