The Gombe State government has inaugurated a task force to tackle misuse, abuse, and theft of nutrition commodities aimed at addressing malnutrition in the state.

Speaking at the inauguration on Tuesday, Deputy Governor, Manassah Jatau, urged the task force members to adhere strictly to their terms of reference, stressing the importance of safeguarding the health of the population.

He explained that the task force’s mandate included identifying, monitoring, and sanctioning anyone diverting, hoarding, destroying, or misusing nutrition commodities intended for malnourished children and other vulnerable groups.

Mr Jatau noted that malnutrition remained a major challenge in northern Nigeria, particularly the North-West and North-East zones, emphasising that protecting nutrition supplies ensured better returns on government and partner investments.

He outlined the taskforce’s responsibilities, including monthly monitoring of health facilities and storage sites, investigating diversion cases, recommending sanctions, and developing guidelines for transparency and accountability in handling nutrition commodities.

Chief of the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Nuzhat Rafique, expressed concern over the diversion of life-saving nutrition commodities to the market, depriving malnourished children of critical protection and care.

She highlighted that nutrition supplies were essential for children suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and warned that the number of chronically malnourished children was increasing in the state.

Ms Rafique urged the task force to diligently prevent diversion or abuse of all nutrition and medical supplies, ensuring aid reached the children who needed it most.

The chairman of the taskforce and commissioner for budget and economic planning, Salisu Baba-Alkali, assured that the committee would deliver on its mandate, reflecting the government’s strong political will and commitment.

The taskforce underscores Gombe State’s institutional effort to protect life-saving nutrition commodities from misuse, diversion, and theft across health facilities and storage centres.

The initiative is aimed at ensuring that the supplies reach malnourished children and other vulnerable populations as intended by the government and its development partners. 

(NAN)