Malnutrition rate shocks Bauchi assembly, vows to query N1b spent on nutrition

By Samuel Luka, Bauchi

Bauchi State House of Assembly has expressed shock over staggering malnutrition rate in the state as indicated by the report of budgetary allocation for nutrition.

The Speaker of the assembly, Rt. Hon Abubakar Sulaiman while speaking at a two-day advocacy and sensitization meeting in Jos, Plateau state on the need to enhance adequate funding of nutrition activities for children, said that the house will investigate the over N1b spent on food and nutrition for children.

The need to enhance adequate funding of nutrition activities for children, said that the house will investigate the over N1b spent on food and nutrition for children

He lamented that despite spending the money, it failed to reduce the rate of malnourished children in Bauchi state.

He wxpressed surprise by the report of budgetary allocation for nutrition wondering what then is the problem leading to the increase in number of malnutrished children in the state.

“This is worrisome, something is wrong somewhere. Honourable Members, with your permission, I want to suggest that the House Committee on Food and Nutrition embark on oversight function to find out what went wrong”, he said.

At the request of the speaker, all the members of the House at the meeting unanimously agreed and directed the Committee on Food and Nutrition to dig deep to find out the missing link.

The report that release of funds was almost 100 percent in previous years, yet no significant improvements in the number of malnourished children

The members led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon Abubakar Suleiman frowned at the report that release of funds was almost 100 percent in previous years, yet no significant improvements in the number of malnourished children.

The meeting was organized by the State Committee on Food and Nutrition, Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination with support by UNICEF, organized a on adequate budgetary appropriation for nutrition interactions.