The Kaduna State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has earmarked N320.5 million for nutrition interventions at local government levels to complement the state government’s efforts.
Mr Saleh Adamu, the ministry’s Planning and Budget Officer, made the disclosure on Tuesday in Zaria at a three-day workshop to domesticate the National Multisectoral Strategic Plan of Action for Nutrition (NMSPAN), 2019 to 2023.
Adamu gave the clarification while responding to a call by Mr Awal Waziri, Director, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Development Agency for Local Government Areas (LGAs), to commit part of their resources for nutrition intervention.
He explained that out of the amount, N131 million was allocated for Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), N110.5 million for Food and Nutrition and N79 million for Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM).
He called on the directors of primary healthcare in the local government areas to make efforts to access the funds and sustain the fight against malnutrition in the state.
Also, the state’s Nutrition Officer, Hajiya Hauwa Usman also said that an understanding had been concluded with the chairmen of the LGAs to provide N500,000 for IYCF and N250,000 for CMAM intervention monthly.
Usman, however, said that only a few chairmen have been releasing the funds, adding that even the few were not consistent.
Confirming her position, Malam Ashafa Ahmad, Director, Primary Healthcare Services, Kaduna North Local Government Area, said that about 80 per cent of the chairmen had not been accessing the funds.
Ahmad called on the Planning and Budget Commission (PBC) to look into the issue and get the commitment of the chairmen to release the funds as at when due for the nutrition activities to be carried out.
Responding, Malam Salisu Lawal, Director, Development Aid Coordination, assured that step would be taken to ensure that the chairmen released the fund.
According to him, doing so will greatly improve access to funds needed for nutrition intervention with a view to curbing the scourge of malnutrition.
The NMSPAN provides the framework for addressing the problems of food and nutrition insecurity at all levels in the country through a multisectoral approach.