WorldStage NewsOnline—- Despite the fact that school children are currently at home nationwide due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Federal Government on Thursday went ahead to inaugurate its controversial Take-Home Kits for the National Home Grown Feeding Programme in Kuje, Federal Capital Territory.
The programme was unveiled by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq in Abuja.
According to the minister, the programme is funded by the Federal Government but being implemented by state governments.
“I am here to flag off the commencement of the modified programme in the FCT and to conduct a spot check of the operations.
“Hunger is a serious by-product of the pandemic, which is why from the onset the ministry has been evolving strategies to facilitate humanitarian interventions.
“The commencement of the NHGSFP today is based on Mr President’s directive to the Ministry to liaise with State governments to develop strategies on the continuation of the School Feeding Programme even though the pupils are at home.
” Beginning today in the FCT, this programme will target parents and guardians of pupils in primary one to three in public schools participating in the programme.
“A total of 3.1 million households are targeted for this intervention; Lagos and Ogun are next port of call before the programme moves to other states of the Federation.
“As noted we are working with the World Food Programme (WFP), who are providing technical support, while other government agencies have been invited to provide an extra layer of monitoring,” Farouq said.
Presenting the kits to beneficiaries on Thursday, Farouq promised to launch the programme in Lagos and other states later.
Many Nigerians have described the school feeding programme as a waste of national resources, as targeted children are currently at home with their parents.
SERAP has urged the Federal Government to urgently publish the details of the suppliers and contractors, procurement rules, including bidding processes, total budget, and all designated voucher distribution and collection sites for the implementation of the school feeding programme at home.
