The federal government of Nigeria has on Thursday began the disbursement of N1.8 billion to 58,963 households in Benue State under its Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme aimed at lifting vulnerable citizens out of poverty.
The scheme which is a Federal Government National Social Investment Programme began payment with residents of Dauda, in Gina Local Government Area of Benue State and is expected to cover nine LGA’s.
Mr Dekaa Tarzaan, the payment officer told the News Agency of Nigeria that the nine LGA included: Vandeikya, Ushongo and Konshisha in Zone A, Gwer West, Guma and Buruku in Zone B, and Ogbadibo, Ado and Oju in Zone C.
What the payment officer is saying
Mr Tarzaan said in Guma LGA, 4,686 households would receive the sum of N140.6 million, before heading to other senatorial zones for the next 10 days.
According to him, three local government areas were selected from each of the three senatorial districts of the state.
He said due to backlogs the total amount for disbursement for the state amounted to more than 1.8 billion.
“For each cycle, we have six payments covering one year, but there were some backlogs which are included in this cycle. Usually, we pay bi-monthly for six times to cover one year, but because this payment has included the unpaid stipends the figure has increased,’’ Mr Tarzaan said.
What you should know
The National Social Investment Program of Nigeria is a social welfare initiative created by the Federal government of Nigeria in 2015.
The program provides no-cost loans to its beneficiaries and helps reduce the start-up costs of business ventures in Nigeria.
