A non governmental organization, Family Health Advocates In Nigeria Initiative, FHANI has reminded the Kaduna State Government, Northwest Nigeria, of the consequences of its continued failure to cash back the approved N250m for the purchase of Family Planning commodities since 2021.
The State under Mal. Nasir Elrufai had approached the FG to allow it purchase Child Spacing commodities to which the State approved the sum of N250m since then, but without the cash backing.
Other States like Ogun, Lagos and Gombe which copied Kaduna have since paid in their money into the common basket and procurement made on their behalf by the UNFPA.
Addressing a news briefing in Kaduna, Wednesday, FHANI Secretary, Mr Benjamin Maigari recalled that Kaduna State was then celebrated and commended by both local and international organizations for being the First in Nigeria to make commitment , thereby setting precedence for other States to follow.
But unfortunately, during conferences and international fora on Family Planning, Kaduna State has become a laughing stock due to its failure to cash backed the money, despite being the First State to be internationally recognized by the go- ahead.
FHANI Secretary said being an organization based in Kaduna, it understands the current economic situation, and therefore called on the present Administration led by Sen. Uba Sani to as a matter of urgency Cash back the N250m this year in instalments instead of the lump sum.
This, he explained, was because of the many demands chasing the meager resources available to the State Government.
By so doing, Mr Maigari said, the integrity of the kaduna State Government would be maintained at both local and international levels.
It was gathered that Family Planning activities in Kaduna State are solely funded by donor agencies as the government had also failed to provide any Kobo.
At the office of the ES Health Supplies Agency
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Health Supplies Management Agency, Aisha Tukur Isyaku says the agency welcomes the suggestion by FHANI that the money could be cash backed instalmentally.
A group photograph with the ES and some of her staff
Aisha who was receiving a FHANI lead advocacy working groups on Family Planning, funded by UNFPA, promised to promptly write to the appropriate authority and for the CSOs to follow up the cash backing.
Similar advocacy visit was paid to the Counselor on Political Affairs to the Governor, Alhaji Shehu Muhammad Makarfi who was not only intimated with the issue but was presented with a Congratulatory letter over his appointment.
A group photograph with the Counselor 3rd from Left
Shehu Makarfi was the Chairman of FHANI before appointed Commissioner some years ago by the then el-rufai Administration.