TheCable

The federal government has commenced the payment of N20,000 to over 5,000 vulnerable persons and People living With Disabilities (PWDs) in Cross River.

Earlier in the month, the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) said over 1.5 million Nigerians have received a N25,000 stipend under the conditional cash transfer (CCT) programme.

Speaking at the flag off of the grants on Monday, Betta Edu, minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, said the payment was part of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to lift vulnerable Nigerians out of poverty.

“Here in Cross River, we are flagging off the grant for vulnerable groups. So far, we’ve been able to reach 5,000 very poor and vulnerable persons at the grassroots in this state with plans to expand in the coming year,” Edu said.

“We have checked and confirmed that these people are very poor, and they deserve to benefit from the scheme in line with President Tinubu’s commitment to lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty in 2024 through the various social protection programs.”

The minister said the money will assist the beneficiaries to start up petty businesses.

“These monies are not given to you for you to spend on drinks or do whatever that is out of place, but to start a petty trade or boost your petty trade and make better profits to sustain your families,” she added.

“These monies can be used to start up little businesses. You can use these grants to boost your trade, and that will help with sustainability.

“These grants are deliberate acts by the federal government to pull people out of poverty.”

Edu assured that qualified Cross Riverians will also be beneficiaries of the federal government’s social intervention programmes being implemented through her ministry and agencies within the sector.

On his part, Bassey Otu, Cross River governor, commended the president for championing the cause of the poor and prioritising the welfare of citizens.