Anambra partners FG on cash transfer

FEDERAL government has introduced a laudable program that would be of great benefit to the poor and vulnerable in our society. The program is aimed at distributing N5000 monthly stipends to the poorest of the poor and vulnerable across different local government areas in the three senatorial zones of Anambra State.

Governor Obiano, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke during the stakeholders meeting and flag off ceremony, at the state’s Government House, appreciated the federal government for making this cash transfer to the downtrodden.

Obiano further stressed on the need to have a proper meeting with all stakeholders, to articulate on how best to make the programme work for the state. He also expressed dissatisfaction over the primary health care centres that are below 15 per cent, and assured of state government immediate intervention.

Earlier in an address, Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Social Investment, Chinwe Iwuchukwu, said that cash transfer was one of the schemes under the social investment programme, among other components like school feeding, N- power for graduates and the G-program for women.

Iwuchukwu further stated that 7000 households are beneficiaries of the cash transfer program in Anambra State.

 “We started with six local government areas, and it was selected according to the poverty map in the country; two from each senatorial zones and they are Dunukofia, Awka- North, Orumba South, Ihiala, Ayamelum and Anambra west” She said.

Iwuchukwu also mentioned that  Anambra is the first state in South East to key into the program.

National Program Coordinator, Conditional Cash Transfer Program, Temitope Sinkaiye, said Nigeria was the headquarter of poverty in the world, irrespective of her rich natural and mineral resources. This issue would be addressed using the conditional cash transfer.

Dr. Sinkaiye also said that the federal government resourcescould not optimise the program, and called on state government to assist by providing the logistic support to implement the activities of distributing money to the poor.

Dr. Sinkaiye called on the local government areas involved to provide motor cycle for officers to go into the communities to train the beneficiaries, monitor distribution of stipends to avoid cheating, and ensure that they have something good doing.