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William Attah
An initiative aimed at improving nutrition outcomes in Gombe State by the Civil Society Scalling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), has commenced a quarterly budget tracking of nutrition funding.
The exercise is being implemented under a UNICEF-supported project and focuses on key nutrition financing issues which includes, timely release of nutrition funds and the establishment of dedicated nutrition budget lines across MDAs.
The quarterly budget tracking will also involve advocacy for the extension of paid maternity leave from the current period to six months.
According to the Gombe State Coordinator of CS-SUNN, Rebecca Caleb Maina, it is a broader effort by the organization and its partners to improve nutrition outcomes through increased Government investment, policy implementation, and enhanced accountability mechanisms.
“Specifically, CS-SUNN will be tracking nutrition budgets across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as part of efforts to promote increased investment in nutrition programmes in Gombe State”, Rebecca pointed out.
She explained further that the exercise is expected to strengthen accountability in the management of nutrition funds, facilitate the implementation of budgeted nutrition activities, and support advocacy efforts towards increased funding for nutrition programmes.
She said, “CS-SUNN will sustain its advocacy for the implementation of six months’ paid maternity leave and continue monitoring reports concerning the alleged sale of RUTF in the State. This is to ensure accountability and the proper utilisation of nutrition resources”.
She commended the Gombe State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning for involving the organisation in budgetary processes and related activities while reaffirming CS-SUNN’s commitment towards advocating increased funding for nutrition interventions.
Rebecca also lauded the Gombe State Government for procuring Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) and other nutrition commodities, noting that the intervention would significantly reduce the challenges of malnutrition, particularly among children and vulnerable groups.
