The African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has said that the federal government’s Social Protection Programmes have not achieved desired objectives due to low awareness.

Executive Director of the group, Rev John Usulor lamented that the initiatives designed to ensure rural households benefits from federal government interventions had continued to suffer due to lack of awareness and understanding.

Speaking at an awareness outreach at Okwojo Ngwo community, Udi Local Government Area, Enugu State, he told members of the community that the government deliberately set out the initiatives to fight against poverty and improve earnings. He insisted that communities must make the best use of it.

Represented by the State Programme Officer, Matthew Megwai, he listed the Initiatives as TraderMoni, FarmerMoni, Agricultural inputs, as well as the provision of basic amenities like water, sanitation, and health facilities under the state’s welfare framework.

“These interventions also include the National Cash Transfer Programme, Health insurance schemes, and various youth empowerment initiatives designed to provide a safety net for those at the bottom of the economic ladder”. Ugolor stated.

He pointed out that the ActNaija Project is actively working across several states to strengthen these systems by promoting accountability and improving public knowledge of available interventions

He lamented that while communities like Okwojo contribute significantly to the state’s socio-economic fabric, they often face significant barriers in accessing welfare services due to information gaps and inadequate infrastructure.

He said the Outreach serves as a timely bridge to amplify community voices and ensure that interventions reach the most vulnerable populations who are currently grappling with unemployment and rising cost of living.

Ugolor further explained that when social protection systems are inclusive and transparently managed, they become powerful tools for empowering farmers, traders, and the youth against economic shocks.

He also said that the Outreach was to guide community members on how to enroll in the National Social Register (NSR), which serves as the primary database for identifying beneficiaries of federal and state interventions.

“By bringing community members face-to-face with government representatives, the outreach aimed to demystify the enrollment process and foster a culture of direct engagement”. Ugolor emphasised.

He noted that citizens’ participation was essential for building a responsive social protection system, adding that when communities are well-informed and actively monitor the implementation of programmes, it reduces the likelihood of corruption and ensures a fairer distribution of resources.

He promised that ANEEJ and its partners would remain committed to monitoring the progress of the programmes to ensure they deliver on their promises of empowerment and resilience.

He stressed that engagement was a core component of the ActNaija Project, a collaborative effort involving Bread for the World, ANEEJ, and the New Initiative for Social Development (NISD) with support from the European Union.