ZMSG pledges to enact child protection law – SSG
The Zamfara state Government has reiterated its commitment to finalise the process of enacting a child protection law in the state.
Alhaji Bala Bello, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), stated this in Gusau, on Tuesday, while receiving a delegation of the Children’s Parliament who paid him an advocacy visit in his office.
The Save the Children International (SCI) a Non-Governmental Organisation, is supporting the activities of the Children’s Parliament in the state.
Bello said: “I am very glad to receive the Children’s Parliament of this state in my office. I listened to all your resolutions and recommendations, I am going to deliver them to Gov. Bello Matawalle.
“I am happy to announce that all the recommendations will be considered by the state government”.
The SSG expressed the state government’s commitments to provide child protection policies in the state.
“You know, Matawalle has special interest in issues that affects vulnerable groups. Zamfara, as one of the child friendly states, will soon enact and domesticate the law,” he said.
Bello commended the SCI for supporting the state in the drafting of the child protection bill and other social protection activities.
Earlier, the Speaker of the Parliament, Saratu Ahmad, said they were at the SSG’s office to advocate for the speedy presentation and passage of the child protection bill in the state.
“Based on the reports and recommendations of the oversight assignments at the Sexual Assault Referral Center (SARC) and Remand Home, Gusau, by the parliament’s committees, there are indications of increased sexual assault on children in the state.
“The law will help in tackling children’s assault and Gender Based Violence (GBV). We are appealing for quick intervention to ensure that the bill is presented to the state House of Assembly,” Ahmad said.
In her remarks, Hajiya Zainab Usman, SCI Community Engagement and Advocacy Coordinator, called on the state government to maximize its commitments to ensure that the child protection bill was passed quickly and signed into law.
Usman said that one of the mandates of the SCI was to create an environment where every child attained the right to survival, protection and development.
“Therefore, the law, if domesticated in the state, will play a vital role in this regard”, she added.
Also, Alhaji Yusuf Sabo, Director, Legislative Matters, at the state House of Assembly, said that the sixth Assembly considered it necessary to support the children’s parliament.
Sabo, also the SCI consultant on children’s parliament, said that the law was necessary considering the increase in sexual assault cases and GBV affecting children.
The parliament had earlier paid a similar visit to state Commissioner of Justice, Alhaji Nasiru Zarumi.
