Lokoja
The Kogi State Government,through the Office of the National Social Investment Programmes (Kogi-SIP), has commenced payment of N20, 000 each to over 34,456 beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) across the state.
Mr Abdulkareem Onyekehi, the Focal Person of Kogi SIP, who spoke to journalists, after monitoring the disbursement at some payment centres in Lokoja and Okene on Tuesday, said the exercise was went simultaneously across the 21 local government areas of the state.
He described the disbursement as smooth and hitch-free.
According to him,the payment of N20,000 would be for four months: January to April 2020 for 34,456 CCT beneficiaries by the Kogi State SIP office in the first phase of the disbursement.
Onyekechi said the exercise was in line with the President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to the Minsiter of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, in his national broadcast as part of the palliative measures to cushion the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
”The exercise which is in collaboration with the state government spans Monday 6th – 22nd April 2020 across the 21 local government areas of Kogi state.
”I have visited Lokoja and Okene pay points and the exercise is going on smoothly and peacefully, putting smiles on the faces of the thousands of poor and vulnerable people of Kogi State in rural communities,” he said.
Onyekehi commended , Governor. Yahaya Bello for ensuring adequate security and support, including the presence of Senior Special Assistants to the Governor on Security for close monitoring and the peaceful exercise.
He noted that the NSIP would also be unveiling the modality for the implementation of school Feeding Programme to the pupils’ households,” any moment from now.”
A beneficiary of the exercise, Mrs Hassanat Mohammed, expressed delight that the N20, 000 would go a long way to help her households,” especially at this point in time.”
She commended President Muhammadu Buhari and Gov. Yahaya Bello for remembering the poor and vulnerable “and putting smiles on our faces.”
Also,Mrs Glory Ameh, a widow and mother of four, said the initiative would have great positive impact in her life and that of her children, saying
”I am grateful to both the state and the federal governments, she said.
