TheCable

The ministry of humanitarian affairs and disaster management says President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the payment of N1.6 billion to 84,000 beneficiaries in Kano state to cushion the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on citizens.

Temitope Sinkaiye, national coordinator of the programme, while speaking during a courtesy visit to Nasiru Gawuna, the state’s deputy governor, said N20,000 will be distributed to each of the beneficiaries in 15 local government areas through the National Cash Transfer office.

In a statement on Monday, Hassan Musa Fagge, chief press secretary to the deputy governor, quoted Sinkaiye to have said the programme has not faced any challenges since it began two years ago because the federal government secured a loan from the World Bank.

She said the stipend would help the poor start off small scale businesses to improve their lives and that of their family.

“We selected few of them across the identified Local Government Areas and observed social distancing so that by the time they go back, they will guide other members of their community how to protect themselves and stay healthy,” she said.

Speaking on the development, Gawuna said the initiative would alleviate poverty among the people during the pandemic.

Kano has not recorded any COVID-19 case.