The Federal Government has commenced the distribution of debit cards to 46,533 beneficiaries under the Renewed Hope Agenda Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Programme in Niger State as part of efforts to cushion the impact of the current economic hardship on vulnerable households.
The distribution exercise was flagged off in Minna by the Niger State Cash Transfer Unit through the National Social Safety Nets Scale-Up Programme (NASSP-2).
Speaking during the inauguration, the State Programme Manager of the Niger State Cash Transfer Unit, Alhaji Suleiman Kpange, said the intervention targets low-income and vulnerable households across the 25 local government areas of the state.
According to him, beneficiaries under the programme will receive ₦75,000 in three tranches of ₦25,000 each to help reduce the effects of inflation, rising food prices and other economic challenges currently facing Nigerians.
Kpange said payment service providers had already arrived with 46,533 debit cards meant for approved beneficiaries selected through the National Social Register (NSR), National Beneficiary Register (NBR) and the Rapid Response Register (RRR).
“The payment service providers are here today with 46,533 debit cards for beneficiaries across the 25 local government areas of the state,” he said.
“This is a mini flag-off for the continuation of the distribution exercise.”
He explained that the programme was designed as an economic shock response initiative to support households heavily affected by the current economic realities in the country.
Kpange added that beneficiaries were carefully selected through the National Social Register compiled by the national body before being forwarded to the state for validation and final approval.
He also noted that some beneficiaries were captured through the Rapid Response Register, which focuses on vulnerable individuals and households within communities across the state.
Also speaking during the event, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management in Niger State, Alhaji Ahmad Inga, described the initiative as a Federal Government intervention aimed at helping vulnerable Nigerians survive the current economic situation.
He said the latest phase of the debit card distribution further reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to easing hardship through the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This intervention is aimed at helping vulnerable persons overcome economic shocks and improve their living conditions,” Inga said.
“I appeal to beneficiaries to make productive use of the funds, while assuring them of more government interventions.”
Some beneficiaries who spoke after the event commended both the Federal and Niger State Governments for the support.
A petty trader, Mrs Tawakaltu Lawal, said the funds would help her expand her pepper business and support her family, while Mr Salihu Abdullahi, a tomato trader, said he plans to invest the money into his business to improve his income.
