Africa-Press – Nigeria. The Federal Government says it has so far disbursed over N18.7 billion to 751 million vulnerable families in Akwa Ibom State in three tranches of the Household Prosperity and Empowerment-Cash Transfer Programme (HOPE-CT).
The amount is out of the N60 billion earmarked for the South-South region under the programme.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro, who disclosed this over the weekend in Uyo, the during a Stakeholders’ Engagement and Interaction with Beneficiaries of HOPE-CT, said Akwa Ibom was the highest recipient.
Doro said the ministry intentionally organized the interface with beneficiaries and other stakeholders to obtain genuine feedback and ensure that accountability was upheld.
He added that government has to assess whether the support is reaching intended households and improving livelihoods, or otherwise.
According to him, “The essence of this visit is to personally engage beneficiaries of the HOPE-CT programme and obtain firsthand feedback on interventions already delivered.
“The ministry is working towards a One Humanitarian One Poverty Response System where interventions are coordinated, transparent, and effective.”
He also urged the beneficiaries to speak out sincerely, saying their feedback will help to guide future policy decisions and strengthen programme delivery across the country.
Speaking earlier, the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno represented by the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Princess Emem Ibanga, thanked the minister for undertaking the tour personally rather than sending a representative, saying it demonstrates a deep commitment and genuine passion for matters concerning the vulnerable and underserved.
She described the Conditional Cash Transfer as a strategic social investment tool designed to lift the poorest households out of extreme poverty by providing direct financial support to vulnerable families and stimulating local economies through support for small businesses.
At the interactive sessions, the beneficiaries who were selected randomly to speak, thanked President Bola Tinubu for the lifeline but urged him to ensure the sustainability of the program as well as increase of the N25,000 transfer.
Abel Enang, one of the beneficiaries said given the impact of the stipend to vulnerable homes especially in setting up of small scale businesses, it would be ideal for the program to be sustained so that more poor families would be captured.
He said he had received a total of N75,000 for the three tranches which he invested in vegetable farming adding that increase in amount would help beneficiaries to do more.
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