The Federal Government has resumed payment of stipends to more than 24,900 beneficiaries in Akwa Ibom State under the Household Uplifting Programme-Conditional Cash Transfer (HUP-CCT).
The HUP-CCT is managed by the office of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development led by Sadiya Umar Farouq.
Altogether, beneficiaries from nine local government areas in the state rescheduled for payment will collect N20,000 each.
So far, 4,000 persons from Oruk Anam and Ukanafun Local Government Areas got their share on Saturday, August 28, remaining beneficiaries from Nsit Atai, Ikono and Uruan and four others.
The Focal Person for Social Investment Programme in Akwa Ibom, Dr. Godwin Akpan, said the disbursement expected to cover seven other local government areas in the state was carried out in on Saturday.
Akpan commended President Muhammadu Buhari administration for its sensitivity toward the plight of the less-privileged in the society.
“This programme by the President Muhammadu Buhari is highly sensitive to the plight of the people and it’s commendable. Many lives are being touched.
“Indeed, 100 millions will be lifted from poverty and the poverty rating of the country will be reversed by 2030,” the focal person said.
Speaking to our correspondent, a 67-year-old beneficiary, Madam Uduak Jimmy, thanked President Buhari’s government for giving her hope.
She promised to invest the money in palm oil production to help her generate more income for her grand children.
Another beneficiary, a 60-year-old grandmother, Mrs Grace Udoakpan, said she would remain grateful to the federal government for the kind gesture shown to her and promised to invest the money to generate more income to help sustain her life.
From Lagos, Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Yetunde Arobieke said since inception, 6,810 persons/households had benefited from the CCT.
The State Focal Person said the transfer of N5,000 per month to beneficiaries is paid twice two months.
”The payment is for eligible households selected from the National Social Register,” the commissioner noted.
”A total of 6,810 beneficiaries from six targeted LGAs (Apapa, Amuwo-Odofin, Epe, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos Island and Badagry) have been benefitting,” she added.
In Ogun, Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Femi Ogunbanwo flagged off the programme at Odeda LGA.
He announced that the scheme would cover 9,593 beneficiaries drawn from six local government areas across the three senatorial districts in the state.
Ogunbanwo said the pilot programme began in October 2020 with enrolment and data capturing activities.
The commissioner added that cards were issued to the beneficiaries to serve as a means of identification and eligibility for payment.
