The Kaduna Social Protection Accountability Coalition (KADSPAC) on Tuesday began a three-day training of members and community trackers, on tracking social protection programmes in Kaduna State.

The Chairperson of the coalition, Ms Jessica Bartholomew, said at the opening of the training in Zaria, that the goal was to ensure transparency and accountability in the delivery of social protection programmes.

Batholomew said that the government was also developing a social protection policy that would strengthen the delivery of social protection system in the state.

She said that the policy currently being validated would guide the implementation of an inclusive, transparent, and accountable social protection interventions to poor and vulnerable groups.

According to her, the training was organised to empower the coalition and community trackers to engage in evidence-based and result-driven activities in demanding for inclusive, transparent and accountable delivery of social protection interventions.

“This will deepen the understanding of members of the coalition and community members serving as trackers in local government and communities on social protection.

“We will also share experiences and lessons learnt on the recent tracking of palliative distribution in the state and reflect on the ongoing social protection policy development.”

She added that the training would also strengthen the capacity of members on the effective use of social media in advocating for transparency and accountability.

Also speaking, Mrs Eunice Victor, Social Protection and Inclusion Coordinator Save the Children International said that the training was key in ensuring community participation and ownership of social protection interventions.

Victor said that the community members would play a key role in tracking the implementation of programmes at the community level to ensure that only the targeted groups benefit from the interventions.

On her part, Mrs Nina Dawong, Coordinator, State Operations Coordinating Unit, Planning and Budget Commission, said that the government would strengthen partnership with Civil Society Organisations.

“This is because we are working to have a state where the poorest and most vulnerable residents are supported to live productive, fulfilling and dignifying lives.

“Therefore, working with CSOs and community members will help keep us in check if our processes are truncated and it is only through collaboration that we will succeed in the delivery of government programmes,” she said.