Segun Babatunde in Bauchi
The Federal Government has commenced payment of backlog to beneficiaries of Household uplifting Programme – Conditional Cash Transfer (HUP-CCT) Progrmme in Bauchi state.
It would be recalled that the nationwide exercise began after the flag off ceremony in Abuja by the Hon. Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster management and social development.
Bauchi State Head of Cash Transfer Unit, Mallam Jibrin Mohammed Fanti who kick started the commencement of the state Payments at Yelwan Duguri Payment Centre, Alkaleri Local Government area commended the effort of the National Programme coordinator (NPC) towards accomplishing the President’s mandate of lifting hundred of millions of Nigerians out of poverty.
He called on the CCT.HUP beneficiaries to make judicious use of the money by spending it on provision of food for their family and also engaging on income generating activities.
Each beneficiaries from the 54,721 of mostly Women received Cash of N20,000 payment of backlog of January to April cycle.
Another N10,000 is given to participating households of HUP.CCT on compliance with the state selection of hard co-responsibility of girl child education.
The total Amount to be disbursed in Bauchi State for both base and top up transfer is N1, 200,540,000 (One Billion Two Hundred Million Five Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira) Only.
According to the Head of Cash Transfer Unit, the payment is been conducted in two categories, through the Payments Service Providers (PSP) Agents and Digital.
“NCTO is introducing the Digital Payment in order to improve on service delivery, ensure safety and security and also to provide HUP.CCT beneficiaries opportunity to participate in Cashless Transaction.
“Beneficiaries from Bauchi Local Government have since started experiencing the service. Beneficiaries from Misau and Katagum would also be paid through the Digital Payments. The remaining LGAs of Alkaleri, Kirfi, Dass, T/Balewa, Bogoro, Toro, Ganjuwa, Ningi, Darazo, Dambam, Jama’are, Zaki, Gamawa and Itas Gadau will gradually key into the newly introduced payment Service.”‘
He said “the ongoing payment in the state is being monitored by Mrs Joyce Dida, National M&E, and MIS Officers and Mr Uzi.
The exercise that started on Thursday 26th August 2021 is expected to end on Sunday 5th September 2021 as stated on the time table for the payment of the stipends across the 20 LGA, in 209 Payment Centers surrounding the beneficiaries’ communities.
The Federal Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs Disaster Management and social Development have also Deployed over 200 Indigene of the State as Independent monitors, for Monitoring of National Social Safety-net Project (NASSP) Programmes in the state.
The Independent Monitors are already on the ground to monitor the CCT.HUP beneficiaries Payment and other related activities designed by the National Cash Transfer Office for the Beneficiaries of Cash Transfer in their Communities.