The Federal Government of Nigeria has disbursed N1,798,055,000.00 to improve the socio-economic livelihood of over 26,533 poor and vulnerable households across 10 local government of Yelmatu Deba, Bajoga, Akko, Billiri, Kwami, Dukku, Katungo, Shangom, Funakye and Nafada in Gombe State.
According to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Sadiya Umar Farouq another payment of N 20,000.00 will be given by the Federal Government to Flag-off the Cash Transfer as Grant for Rural Women in Gombe state in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.
She said that “it is our hope that the beneficiaries of this programme will make good use of the opportunity to increase their income, enhance their food and security and generally contribute towards improving their living standards. It is my believe that with the support of Your Excellency, the target beneficiaries will be on their way out of poverty to prosperity. I am also optimistic that with the support and cooperation of Your Excellency and the other stakeholders present here, we can lift 100 million out of poverty by 2030 as envisioned by President Muhammadu Buhari “.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria in partnership with the World bank designed and developed a safety nets programmes for Nigeria under the platform of the National Social Safety Net Project (NASSP).The Conditional Cash Transfer Programme commenced in September 2016 with the aim of responding to deficiencies in capacity and lack of investment in human capital of poor and vulnerable households. The programme is designed to deliver timely and accessible cash transfer to beneficiary households and set to support development objectives and priorities to achieve the following outcomes improve household consumption, increase in utilisation of health and nutrition services, improve school enrolment and attendance, improve environmental sanitation and management, encourage household financial and asset acquisition, engage beneficiaries in sustainable livelihood”.
The Minister mentioned other National Social Investment Programmes of the Federal Government to assuage the plight of the poor and vulnerable in the country, such as the CCT, N -power, GEEP, NHGSFP, YESSO, CSDP.
The Govenor of Gombe State His Excellency Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya expressed his gratitude for the various interventions of the Federal Government and during the COVID -19 lock down and still hopes for more critical support.
Present at the event were Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, Hajia Asmau Inuwa Yahaya, Mrs. Naomi J. J. Awak Hon. Commissioner of Women Affairs and others.
Grace Osuji
For :Deputy Director (Information)