FG Resumes Payment of Conditional Cash Transfer to Bayelsa Households

The federal government yesterday resumed its Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) to poor and indigent households in Bayelsa state.

The CCT, which is managed by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development led by the Minister, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq, resumed payment at Igeibiri, Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas of the state following a backlog of payments for six months.

The Focal Person, National Social Investment Programme (N-SIP) in Bayelsa, Emmanuel Benson, explained that the exercise was aimed at reducing poverty in the state and the country at large.

According to him: “What is going on here today is a recommencement of the conditional cash transfer.

“The figure of beneficiaries usually comes up at the end of the day because some don’t show up for their payment, so at the end, we can then say the total number of people paid,” he explained.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari, Farouk and Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa, for the support they gave the programme.

The Focal Person explained that the money was meant for the less privilege in order to lift a lot of persons in the state out of poverty, urging the Bayelsa government to support the programme.

Benson, who doubles as the Coordinator of N-power and the School Feeding Programme, expressed hope that by end of November, more people would have benefitted across the state.

He also advised beneficiaries to utilise the funds judiciously, noting that some beneficiaries who are traders were already giving positive feedbacks to encourage the federal government to do more.

It was gathered that Nembe, Brass Ogbia, and part of Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas are the remaining areas to be covered in the pilot scheme.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to newsmen commended the federal government over the gesture.

Mrs. Ebiere Ebiye, a foodstuff dealer said, “this is not the first time I am receiving such stipend for the programme.

“The money has been aiding me in my business and in handling little challenges in my home, and also in my building.

“I am very elated with what the federal government is doing and I pray God will continue to replenish them.”