By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
Towards improving economic status targeted at vulnerable groups in Bauchi State with particular emphasis on rural dwellers, the Federal Government has earmarked the sum of one billion, two hundred million, five hundred and forty thousand naira (N1,200,540,000) for selected beneficiaries under the Social Investment Program component of Household Uplifting Programme – Conditional Cash Transfer (HUP-CCT) intervention in the state.
This was disclosed by the Bauchi State Cash Transfer Unit head, Mallam Jibrin Mohammed Fanti, at the commencement of payment of backlog of stipends to beneficiaries of the Household Uplifting Programme – Conditional Cash Transfer (HUP-CCT) Programme in Bauchi State at Yelwan Duguri Payment Centre in Alkaleri Local Government of the state.
According to a press statement signed by the CTU Training and Communication Officer, Jamila Affan, Mallam Fanti commended the effort of the National Programme Coordinator (NPC), Hajiya Halima Shehu, for her efforts towards actualising the presidential mandate of lifting vulnerable Nigerians out of poverty.
He called on the (CCT-HUP) beneficiaries to make judicious use of the money by spending it on provision of food for their families and also engaging in income generating activities.
He said each beneficiary from the 54,0721 persons, mostly women, received the sum of N20,000 payment of their cumulative backlog of January to April cycle.
Fanti further said that N10,000 was also given to participating households of HUP-CCT on compliance for the state selection of Hard-core Responsibility of girl child education.
The statement quoted Mallam Fanti as saying “the payment is been conducted in two categories, through the Payment Service Providers (PSP) Agents and Digital system.
“National Cash Transfer Office is introducing the digital payment in order to improve on service delivery, ensure safety and security and also to provide the HUP-CCT beneficiaries opportunity to participate in cashless system regime”.
The statement also said that beneficiaries from Bauchi Local Government have since keyed into the cashless service, while beneficiaries from Misau and Katagum LGAs would also be paid through the Digital Payments system.
The remaining LGAs of Alkaleri, Kirfi, Dass, T/Balewa, Bogoro, Toro, Ganjuwa, Ningi, Darazo, Dambam, Jama’are, Zaki, Gamawa and Itas Gadau will gradually key into the newly introduced cashless payment service.
The ongoing payment in the state is being monitored by national monitoring and evaluation officer, Mrs Joyce Dida, and other relevant friends national officers.
It could be recalled that the nationwide exercise began shortly after the flag up ceremony in Abuja by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Faruk.