Kaduna State government has finally resolved to pay N10,000 allowances to about 17,000 ward heads cut across the state for their roles in complimenting government effort to deliver public goods in the health and security sectors.
Commissioner for local government, Professor Kabiro Mato, told newsmen in Kaduna on Wednesday that, “for their roles, the state government has decided to pay a monthly allowance to 17,000 Ward heads.”
According to him, “The allowance represents a token of appreciation for their roles in complementing formal government efforts to deliver public goods in the health and security sectors.
“This move also marks a major landmark in the restructuring of the traditional institution in the state to perform defined roles and deploy its relevance in modern governance.
“We believe that the traditional institution in the state would soon be a reference point to others by their roles and functions in addressing critical community issues that were either neglected or left unattended to.”
He added that, “The success of these health protection initiatives for our children at the grassroots depends on the active involvement of village and ward heads. These layers of traditional rulership know the residents of their communities, including the infants and other vulnerable persons.
“Their unique location makes village and ward heads such valuable partners in increasing immunisation coverage, and improving recordkeeping at the grassroots. They can mobilize communities to participate in immunisation, and to register births and deaths.
“In addition, they constitute a veritable frontline of security information that can assist efforts to provide early warning, thwart threats and enhance peace and harmony in our communities
“Under the leadership of Malam Nasir El-Rufai, the government has been applying state resources and support from development partners to tackle infant and maternal mortality, and enhance the capacity of the primary health centres to improve health outcomes for citizens.
“Since 2015, considerable steps have been taken to expand immunization coverage across the state to give more children what they need to avoid vaccine-preventable diseases. As you are aware, repeated immunization campaigns have and continue to be conducted.
“In addition, the government, with the support of its partners, is steadily institutionalising Routine Immunisation as a widespread, accessible and primary framework for immunisation. This means that the necessary vaccines are available all year round.”
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