Date: 2016-10-21

Ten thousand, eight hundred households are to benefit from the first phase of the Federal Government's National Cash Transfer programme in Kwara State. Under the scheme, 12 local government areas of the State are to participate in the first phase, while the remaining four local government areas will benefit in the second phase.

At the take-off of bio data capturing of beneficiaries held at Ojagbooro in Ilorin East Local Government Area, the State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, said the programme was part of the five components designed by the Federal Government to tackle poverty in the country.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Elder Ayobola Samuel, the Governor noted that the Federal Government is desirous of addressing poverty in the country, particularly among the vulnerable groups. He explained that available statistics showed that no fewer than 100 million Nigerians live below poverty line, thereby making it expedient to address the social problem.

Governor Ahmed said the government had made adequate preparations to ensure that beneficiaries were captured without hitches for the payment of N5,000 monthly stipend by the Federal Government.

Also speaking in an interview, the Head of Unit, Kwara Cash Transfer, Hajia Aminat Yahya, explained that under the scheme, each beneficiary would receive a monthly stipend of N5,000, with another N5,000 conditional grant from the World Bank.

On the support of the state government, Yahya noted that the state is providing logistics support to ensure the success of the Federal Government programme, adding that the government has co-responsibility of equipping health facilities in the state as part of effort towards addressing challenges facing the poor and vulnerable groups.

Two of the beneficiaries, Khadijah Yusuf and Funmilayo Isa, commended the Federal Government for its intervention in reducing the rate of poverty in the country.