The Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu has met the world bank Country Director, Mr. Shubham Chaudhuri. The Minister expressed gratitude to the World bank Country Director for the continuous support extended to Nigeria especially in the areas of Education, health, agriculture, private sector development, social services among others.
Dr Betta Edu reminded them of the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that led to the refocusing of the Ministry on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. She appreciated the flexibility of World Bank to accommodate the re-focused agenda of the Ministry to eliminate poverty.
Among the issues discussed was partnership with the Ministry on preparations to host the Humanitarian Dialogue as well as creation of the Renewed Hope Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund (HPATF).The Trust Fund will be funded through Federal Government budgetary allocation, Development partners, international community, taxes, private sector contribution etc.
Regarding the National Social Register, the minister sought the support of World bank to verify and expand the National Social Register (NSR).
She also urged them to offer their technical support in order to work with the Ministry to achieve Mr President’s target.
In response, the world Bank Country Director affirmed to provide all needed support for the Honourable Minister to deliver on the new focus of the Ministry.
“The proposed disbursement of $800M for the Social Safety Nets Project will commence soonest.”
“We will support the verification and scaling up of the National Social Register, provide technical support in the preparation of the Ministry to attend UNGA and give specialized backing for the establishment of the Trust Fund” Mr. Shubham Chaudhuri assured.