Ministry Flags Off Digital Disbursements To Nigeria’s Poor

BY VICTOR OSOWICHI, ABUJA – If assurances coming from the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq are anything to go by, then  Federal Government’s Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme to the poor has been digitalized in six states of the Federation

According to a statement issued by the Ministry at the weekend, Hajia Farouq said the digitalization was introduced to ensure accountability and transparency in the disbursement of the money meant for the poor and the vulnerable in the society.

The statement quoted her as saying; “One of the priorities of the ministry is to digitalize the payment of Conditional Cash Transfer programme for accountability and transparency. We will continue to expand the digitalization.”

It said Minister has so far visited Imo, Anambra, Lagos and Ogun states in the on-going payment of N20,000 CCT programme, Trader moni and distribution of relief materials to the nation’s poor.

The relief materials distribution started in Kwali Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) while the minister was also in Ihu, Ikeduru, Imo State and Ihiala local government of Anambra state.

“My visits are intended to inspect the programme, meet with various stakeholders and beneficiaries. We want to continue to explain to the people how the programme works. The idea is to ensure accountability and transparency and assure them that the exercise is ongoing and continuous.

“In all the states, I visited, I also presented relief materials on behalf of the Federal Government. In my interaction with governors, I implored the state governments to prioritise the poor, vulnerable and persons with disabilities as a result of COVID-19 pandemic”, the Minister said.

Hajia Farouq, who praised the State governors for their support and commitment towards implementation of the CCT programme and distribution of relief materials, pledged the Federal Government’s commitment to economically vulnerable and poor Nigerians.

“President Muhammadu Buhari is concerned about the poor and the vulnerable Nigerians. Our priority is to implement Mr President’s agenda of reaching out to ordinary Nigerians.

“And as a ministry, we remain committed to the poor, vulnerable and persons with disabilities”, she said in the statement