The Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), has called on Niger State Government to prioritize the placement of nutrition interventions to avert the increasing rate of stunting and Wasting in the state.
The group said on Wednesday when they paid advocacy visits to some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in MINNA that “the rate of stunting in Niger is 37 percent and it is very alarming. We are trying our best to see that in the next three years they are stopped”.
While calling for increase and release of funds, the group complained that low priorities and low budget allocation are given to issues of nutrition in the state.
According to the the State Chairman, Committee on Food and Nutrition, Hajia Ramatu Umar, “acute stunting and wasting are the biggest challenges we have in Niger. They are alarming and we must fight to address them so the figures can drop as fast as possible.
“We need timely release of allocated funds; establishment of Nutrition Information System; priority placement for nutrition services across all Primary Health Centers (PHCs)”.
She also disclosed that, there is the need for the State to consider its workforce, adding that “we are looking at how it will be in the next 20 years”
She added that “we have over 21,000 cases of children below 2 years in Mashegu and Mariga local government areas with stunting and wasting”.
CS-SUNN also commended the Government for the provision of boreholes at CMAM and SAM sites and strengthening collaboration for effective implemention of nutrition activities.
The team visited Commissioners for Agriculture and Rural Development, Zakari Jinkatoro, Water Resources and Dams Development Yusuf Suleiman, Education represented by the Permanent Secretary, Abubakar Balarabe and the Executive Director, Niger state Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Ibrahim Dangana.
The Commissioners at various times assured of their commitments, adding that there is the urgent need to remedy the embarrassing situation.
Commissioner for Water Resources and Dams Development Yusuf Suleiman said “we will sit and go through the challenges, so that we can push for the release of funds as soon as possible. Together we will support the CS-SUNN to achieve results”.
