The Federal Government has inaugurated the disbursement of N20,000 Special Cash grant to each of the 2,700 poor women selected from the 31 local government areas in Akwa Ibom.
Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development said this in a statement signed by the Deputy Director of Information, Mrs Rhoda Iliya .
Farouq said that the grant was expected to increase income and productive assets of target beneficiaries.
“It is our hope that the beneficiaries of this programme will make good use of the grant to generally contribute towards improving their living standard.
“They should see the fund as seed to boost their trade and business for greater income and not to see it as their own share of the so-called National Cake.
“A cash grant of N20,000.00 will be disbursed to about 125,000 poor women across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
“Our target in Akwa Ibom State is to disburse the grant to about 2,700 beneficiaries across the 31 Local Government Councils of the state,” Farouq said.
Farouq, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Alhaji Bashir Alkali, said that with the complementary effort of the state government, the target beneficiaries would be adequately covered within the next few days.
She expressed optimism that with the support and cooperation of Gov. Udom Emmanuel and other stakeholders, they remain on track to improve the livelihood of the ordinary Nigerians.
“To the beneficiaries, let me reiterate that this money belongs to you and you alone.
“It is meant for you to use in any small business venture you deem fit and that will improve your lives. Please ensure that you use it for this purpose,” Farouq said.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Expo, represented by the Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr Ini Adiakpan, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the various National Social Investment Programmes.
“It has gone a long way to cushion the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Adiakpan solicited for more grants to include more women and also hopes for more of such programmes.
The state’s Focal Person on Social Investment Programme, Dr Godwin Akpan, described the exercise as timely and germane as it seeks economic empowerment for rural women.
He solicited for the inclusion of the youth and men in subsequent programmes.
A beneficiary Mrs Caroline Usen, expressed joy for being selected for the grant. (NAN)