Inadequate Funding Affecting Justice, Social Welfare Institutions – Kalu

By Oduyemi Odumade

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu has identified inadequate funding for critical justice and social welfare institutions as factors affecting their ability to effectively carry out their mandates.

According to him, this compromises the welfare of most citizens, especially the vulnerable ones.

Speaking at a meeting in Abuja with a delegation from the United Nations Development Programme and European Union, on the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme Phase 2, Mr. Kalu said adequate funding is the lifeblood of any institution, especially those that are responsible for upholding the rule of law and ensuring the welfare of citizens.

He commended the RoLAC Programme’s commitment to ensuring proper funding for these institutions and enhancing access to rights and justice for women, children, and vulnerable persons in Nigeria.

The Deputy Speaker informed his guests that rights based legislations enacted by the National Assembly include Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, Administration of Criminal Justice Act and Discrimination Against Persons Prohibition Act, saying that these legislations were borne out of the need to ensure justice, equality, and protection of the most vulnerable citizens in our society.

He assured of budgetary decisions that would prioritize the funding of these institutions and proper oversight to guarantee that rights-based legislations are implemented, while pledging the support of the National Assembly and strategic collaboration, adding that it can lead to a more just society where the rights of all citizens are upheld and justice is accessible to everyone.

Earlier, the Gender and Human Rights Lead, United Nations Development Programme, (UNDP), Onyinye Ndubuisi told the Deputy Speaker that they seek to partner with the legislature to ensure that every Nigerian woman and girl live above all sorts of violence and violence is eradicated.

She suggested that the collaboration, starts with a legislative summit, where some policy documents around women and girls in the country are reviewed.

Edited By Grace Namiji