By Kenneth Obieh
The National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO) under the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development continues the bi-monthly payment of Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT), to 8,164 poor and vulnerable households, where women are the major caregivers under the Household Uplifting Programme (HUP) in the 9 pilot Local Government Areas from three senatorial districts of Delta State.
The Head of Unit, State Cash Transfer Unit (SCTU), Mrs Modupe Osharode stated that the bi-monthly payment is taking place in Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Burutu, Ethiope East, Ika North-East, Okpe, Ughelli South, Warri North and Warri South-West Local Government Areas.
She also revealed that over N404 Million Naira have so far been paid to CT beneficiaries from September 2020 to April 2021 for 5 payment cycles.
“The beneficiaries are receiving May and June payment today” Tuesday, October 19, she said.
Mrs Osharode disclosed that in 2016, the Federal Government established the programme with the primary aims to reduce poverty, improve household consumption and ensure beneficiaries establish sustainable means of livelihood, and bring about the beneficiary’s human capital development.
She said Delta State has since 2020 keyed into the programme.
According to her, the programme is not just about the bi-monthly cash payment, there is capacity building in terms of Savings and Group Mobilization with livelihood improvement in the community to ensure that beneficiaries receive the money wish they can also save or invest.
Some of the beneficiaries who were interviewed at Issele – Azagba, Issele – Uku and other communities, expressed their heartfelt appreciation to the Federal Government and promised to apply all the training they have gotten from the programme so as to continue to retain their source of livelihood in order for them to live above poverty.
In appreciation, Mrs Osharode said that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is highly commended for its sensitivity toward the plight of the poor and vulnerable households in society.
She also said that the efforts of the Honourable Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Faroug and the National Coordination Cash Transfer, Hajiya Halima Shehu in achieving the aims and objectives of the programme are well appreciated.
The Training and Communication Officer, State Cash Transfer Unit, Mrs Beauty Unuagba Uche, explained that the payment system had transited from manual to digital to respond to cashless realities, security concerns and reduced time of payment.
