Public Service Reforms: Humanitarian Affairs ministry demands inclusion of PWDs

The Permanent, Secretary Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, has assured of implementing all public service reforms in the ministry.

Speaking Thursday in Abuja, during a courtesy visit to the ministry by the Director General (DG), Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BSPR), Mr Dasuki Arabi, the permanent secretary said the Reforms Department of the ministry has commenced the processes of sensitizing the ministry’s staff of new public service reforms to ensure full understanding of the reforms and implementing it to the full.

He urged the agency to propagate to  state governments to establish humanitarian ministries, and also the inclusion of people with disabilities in all reform initiatives, especially engaging the services of sign language interpreters in any programme and event, so that the 35 million Nigerians living with disabilities would be well informed.

“What you brought to us is driving it home straight to the point and straight to our needs in the ministry. I believe we have a strong ally in BSPR and we will certainly make sure that the ministry’s protal and the website activate the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) portal. We will also need to invite you for more specific reforms,” he said.

Earlier in his speech, the DG of BSPR, Mr Dasuki Arabi, said the Bureau’s reform initiatives and inter-agency synergy are key to ensuring that the aspirations of government are driven in the same direction and goals.

He commended the Ministry for good stewardship to actualize its mandates, especially in cushioning the effects arising from humanitarian and social challenges, saying the Ministry has done well in the provision of proactive strategies, disaster mitigations and implementation of social inclusive programmes in Nigeria.

In addition, he said the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and other natural disasters have also increased humanitarian challenges and the need for the Ministry to respond to the challenges by providing social intervention in line with the presidential directive of lifting 100 milllion Nigerians out of poverty.

The DG disclosed that the Bureau had in 2020 carried out a workshop to identify the service delivery challenges around Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and other Social Intervention programmes.

Mr Arabi, said that the Bureau would continue to assist the Ministry to deliver on its mandate by providing effective service delivery to Nigerian citizens.

In attendance were Directors of the Ministry and the BSPR Agency and other dignitaries.