Bayelsa At 30: Mienye Seeks Measurable Poverty Reduction Targets By 2036

Dr Domor Mienye, an APGA governorship aspirant in Bayelsa State, has called for measurable poverty reduction targets over the next decade, saying the state’s 30th anniversary should initiate a serious conversation about improving the economic circumstances of ordinary residents.

Mienye referred to the 2022 National Bureau of Statistics Multidimensional Poverty Index, which reported that 88.5 per cent of Bayelsa’s population was multidimensionally poor, placing the state second after Sokoto in that survey.

He said the findings, based on data collected between 2021 and 2022, should inform an updated assessment of current conditions and a practical poverty reduction programme extending to 2036.

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“Poverty is not simply about whether someone has money in their pocket. It is also about whether a child is properly nourished, whether a family can access healthcare, whether children are attending school and whether people have opportunities to earn a decent living. These are the things we should be measuring and improving,” he said.

The researcher proposed a comprehensive approach combining improvements in basic public services with policies aimed at strengthening household incomes, including affordable public education, student-support programmes, stronger primary healthcare, maternal and child health services, access to clean water and targeted nutrition interventions.

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He also called for greater investment in agriculture, fisheries, manufacturing, small businesses and private enterprise to expand economic opportunities and reduce household dependence on government assistance.

“A family needs more than occasional financial assistance. We should be creating an economy where parents can earn a living, young people can find productive work and small businesses have access to larger markets. That is how improved public services and economic opportunities can work together to reduce poverty,” he said.

Mienye proposed an updated statewide poverty baseline, periodic household welfare assessments and a publicly accessible performance dashboard to monitor progress in poverty incidence, school attendance, nutrition, healthcare access and other agreed indicators.

“As Bayelsa marks 30 years, we should set ourselves a serious objective for the next decade. When we celebrate our 40th anniversary, there should be credible evidence showing how many more families have better incomes, how many children have improved access to education and healthcare, and how much progress we have made against poverty,” he added.