The Edo State Government has revealed that a significant number of 102,650 individuals across 1,969 communities within the state’s 18 local government areas will benefit from the second phase of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Cash Transfer program.
Yuwa Aladeselu, the General Manager of the State’s Social Investment Programme, disclosed this during a refresher training session for local government cash transfer facilitators held in Benin City.
The Renewed Hope Cash Transfer, a facet of the National Social Safety Nets Project Scale Up, targets supporting the less privileged and vulnerable populations.
Aladeselu highlighted Governor Godwin Obaseki’s keen interest in interventions aiding the impoverished and vulnerable communities. She noted that Edo State maintains a Social Register, encompassing over 1.6 million individuals, including households, people with disabilities, and others in need.
Flora Bossey, the Head of Unit for Edo State Cash Transfer, indicated that the initial phase in 2022 successfully enrolled and disbursed payments to 12,108 beneficiaries. Presently, 40,647 beneficiaries have received N25,000 each across the 18 local government areas, drawn from both the National Social Register and Rapid Response Register.
She emphasized that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s vision to assist 15 million impoverished and vulnerable Nigerians through the Expanded National Social Safety Nets Programme Scale-Up. This initiative extends economic support in urban and rural areas and aids existing beneficiaries affected by the fuel subsidy removal.
Mohammed Adams, the Enrolment Officer/Beneficiaries Management Officer from the National Cash Transfer Office, outlined that the training aimed to assist facilitators in collecting data for 101,404 individuals without valid bank accounts to ensure their enrollment in the Renewed Hope Cash Transfer scheme.
Adams highlighted the direct fund disbursement to beneficiaries’ transactional accounts/wallets to enhance financial inclusion, emphasizing the importance of this intervention during challenging times.
He urged facilitators to diligently locate and register beneficiaries, stressing the commitment to ensure that no eligible individual is left out from this support program.
