She said her doors were always opened to them and all other professionals and entities, who wished to offer suggestions and work with the Ministry to, particularly, enhance the lives of children and other vulnerable groups.

   Speaking at a media soiree, organised by the Ministry, to foster closer interaction and brief them on her vision, Madam Otiko Djaba said her outfit would vigorously pursue all the existing policies and programmes aimed at improving the lives of the vulnerable.

Consequently, she said, programmes such as the National School Feeding Programme and the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) would be enhanced to ensure quality, improve enrolment and retention rates.

  The enhancement strategies would also help in cost reduction, promote home grown foods and ensure ready market for local farmers.

   She said other policies, including the Affirmative  Action Bill and the Disability Act would also be amended and resubmitted to Parliament for passage to safeguard the rights of vulnerable groups.

   Madam Otiko Djaba said to reduce poverty among female households, the Government, through the Ministry, would set aside 50 per cent of the Micro Finance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) funds for women applicants for their empowerment.

   The Ministry, she said, intended to also work in collaboration with other state institutions and sectors to develop a retirement income scheme for the informal sector as a major step towards poverty eradication.

    Madam Otiko Djaba said the National Household Register was being developed and if completed, would help ensure proper targeting in identifying those with actual need for support.