Cash Transfer: “We have enrolled additional 21,797 beneficiaries in Taraba – Official
The head of Federal Government’s Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme in Taraba state, Mr. Skepra Useni has stated that no fewer than 21, 797 have been enrolled in addition to the existing 17,803 beneficiaries in the state.
Speaking to journalists on the journey so far in Jalingo, the state capital, Mr Useni described the current social investment programme as unique compared to others. According to him, this was because the programme has been reform for the better.
He said that a lot has been achieved since the commencement of the programme in the state and that the N5000 monthly stipend has aided several families and organizations out of poverty.
“In fact, we put them through what we called Savings and Mobilization Training (SMT) where we trained the beneficiaries under the little they were given to. Some saved N2000, some N3000 and many of them made money out of it and some are employers today,” said Mr Useni.
The official further disclosed that a group of ten beneficiaries who decided to make a contribution of N10, 000 each has helped a lady from Gembu in Sardauna Local Government Area (LGA) raised N100, 000 to startup popcorn and bakery business. He added saying: “Today she is making profit of N30, 000 to N40, 000 as daily income”.
“Today, even people from the Republic of Cameroon order popcorn from the lady, she is producing five to six bags in a day, so it is not a small money she is making in a week or month, I was told that she has employed about ten people,” Useni added.
While commending the federal government for initiating the program, Mr Useni called on the beneficiaries to also so their own part by ensuring that the little stipends given to them is utilize to achieve the set objective.
He also urged the cash transfer monitors at the grassroots to work on the mindset of the beneficiaries to invest somewhere. He said: “A poor man will ask you that what will I do with N5000 not knowing that it is something.
Cash Transfer: “We have enrolled additional 21,797 beneficiaries in Taraba – Official