The Federal Government has commenced the disbursement of N20,000 poverty alleviation grant to women in Bauchi state on Thursday under the Conditional Cash Transfer Programmed, aimed at helping rural women in the state establish small businesses. The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, during flagging off of the scheme revealed that more than 150,000 beneficiaries across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will gain from the programme. According to Farouq, who was represented by Deputy Director Hummanitarian Affairs of the Ministry, Dr. Abubakar Suleiman, the N3bn FG grant was introduced in 2020 by her ministry as part of President Muhammadu Buhari's social inclusion and poverty reduction agenda.
The minister said "A grant of N20,000 will be disbursed to over 150,000 poor rural women across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
"The grant is expected to increase access to financial capital required for economic activities.
"It is our hope that the beneficiaries of this programmed will make good use of the opportunity to increase their income, enhance their food security and generally contribute towards improving their living standard,"
"I am optimistic that with support and cooperation of your Excellency and other stakeholders present here, we can lift 100 million out of poverty by 2030.
"The programmed provides targeted monthly base cash transfer of N5,000 to poor and vulnerable households with the sole aim of graduating them out of poverty.
“The conditional cash transfer programme in Bauchi State was intended to improve the socio-economic and livelihood of over 54,738 poor and vulnerable households enrolled across 16 local government areas of Gamawa, Tafawa Balewa, Alkaleri, Darazo, Bogoro, Zaki, Warji, Ningi, Katagum, Kirfi, Jamaare, Dambam, Dass, Itas Gadau, Misau and Toro, with a total disbursement to date of N2,987,360,000,” the minister informed."
