The Federal Government has commenced payment of the second phase of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) in Niger to 4,265 beneficiaries in Chanchaga and Suleja Local Government Areas (LGAs).
At the flag-off of the upgraded Household Uplifting Programme, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, stated that phase one beneficiaries would be covered in the ongoing cash distribution.
Represented by Hajiya Hadiza Shiru, Head of Unit, the minister said with the flag-off today, payments would recommence in all the 25 LGAs in the state.
“The digitalisation process was put in place to reduce the stress the beneficiaries go through before being paid and also increases the beneficiaries choice on mode of payment,’’ she said.
The minister explained that the state recorded the highest number of CCT beneficiaries of 80,895, as against 19, 756.
Farouq said the beneficiaries could now approach accredited payment points to collect their stipends in cash or transfer to their existing bank accounts as the new payment plan was opened to the beneficiaries.
“This programme focuses on digitisation and financial inclusion.
“This will enable the beneficiaries to have sustainable transactional accounts to meet the current economic realities,’’ the minister said.
The state focal person, Amina Guar, lauded the commitment of the Federal and State Governments to alleviating the hardship being experienced by the poor and the vulnerable in the state. (NAN)
