Ilorin
The Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme kicked off on Monday in Ilorin, Kwara state, with each of the 25,000 house holds in the state getting N20,000 to embark on viable businesses to uplift their social and economic well being among other advantages.
Duaglobalnews reports that the programme, an initiative of the All Progressives Congress ( APC), led administration in the country is aimed at alleviating poverty, especially among the poor in the country.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who flagged-off the programme in Ilorin said expressed delight over the programme.
He said: “Today, I flag off the disbursement of conditional cash transfer initiative of the Federal Government to 25,000 households in Kwara.Each benefiting household is to get N20,000, cumulatively, for January, February, March and April.
“This is to assist the poor in this time of global pandemic when our people are asked to stay at home, to halt the spread of the virus.
“I commend the Federal Government for increasing the number of CCT beneficiaries in Kwara from 10,000 to 25,000.
” I especially thank Mr.
President for this gesture as well as the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development for their efforts in coordinating this action at this crucial time.
“This complements the measures taken by our administration in order to alleviate the consequences caused by the pandemic and the restriction of movement,resulting from it.
“At the moment, relief materials consisting mainly of food items are being distributed at the ward level by independent committees comprising traditional rulers, religious leaders and community-based organisations.
” I welcome civil society and media groups to monitor this process to ensure transparency and accountability.
“My administration will be available to receive feedback and reports through appropriate channels.
“All of these measures clearly underscore government’s commitment to the welfare of the people.
“But much more crucial is a need for all of us to be responsible and not endanger ourselves and others. “Let us stay at home and maintain social distancing until it is safe to resume normal life.”
AbdulRazaq said he proceeded into self isolation shortly after returning from the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, in full compliance with the safety protocols of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control on COVID-19.
“Until now, I have remained in self-isolation shortly after returning from the National Economic Council meeting in Abuja on March 19.
” This is in keeping faith with the COVID-19 Protocol that requires anyone with probable exposure to the virus, especially after travelling to frontline areas, to either self-isolate for 14 days incubation period or get tested to know their status.
“AlihamduliLlah,I am fine as I have always been.”
The Governor, who departed the event for an on-the-spot assessment of the Sobi Specialist Hospital which houses the state isolation centre, said the state had long started preparing for any eventuality on COVID-19.
He added, however, that no preparation was enough because even countries with better facilities and wherewithal were also fine tuning their strategies and getting more facilities to cope with the pandemic.
