How to Fight Poverty- Kpakol

from All Africa

Daily Trust (Abuja)

By Chris Agabi
Abuja

The National Coordinator, National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) Dr. Magnus Kpakol has said that the agency's new approach to fighting poverty will involve the rural poor.

Based on the new strategy, he said, NAPEP would in a few weeks lunch a pet programme "capacity Deep-ening Activity (CDA) across the country to form the nucl-eus of the village economic development solutions. Dr. Kpakol who was speaking exclusively to Business Trust explained that capacity widening activities would be tied to CDA to produce robust businesses in the villages where the rural poor would be involved in their individual enterprises.

The NAPEP boss also indicated that, the strategy would emphasize button-up approach to fighting poverty. The communities will be the "engine and drivers" of the war on poverty. It's going to be a real driving force and the effect will be seen quickly.

On allegations that cert-ain agencies under NAPEP were under performing, Dr. Kpakol said as the Chairman National Coordinating Committee, comprising all ministries, they will review their activities and take defined measures to close all loop holes. Also the finances of NAPEP's agencies will be monitored, he said.

He described as sad and embarrassing the high rate of poverty in Nigeria put at over 70 million people. This, he said, presents a huge task..

Dr. Kpakol scored NAPEP high in its efforts to eradicate poverty but acknowledged that it has to do more especially in micro credit financing.

The experience gained by NAPEP over the years, he said, will form a great resource to developing newer strategies.

NAPEP's Partnership with local governments, states, churches, NGOs he said have been successful. They would also be required to provide more resources that will be used to establish businesses in the communities. "The home grown approach must start from the villages," he said.