Over 8, 323 persons selected from Anambra state are to benefit from the `Health Top Up’ of the Livelihood Component of National Cash Transfer Programme of the federal government.
Director General of National Cash Transfer Office, Abuja, Dr. Temitope Sinkaiye disclosed this in Awka during a Livelihood Pilot Step down Orientation training held for Cash Transfer Facilitators of the programme.
National Cash Transfer Office, an agency under the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management is among federal government agency helping to alleviate poverty among poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
The DG noted that stipend would enable the beneficiaries to support themselves financially and establish business of their choice.
Sinkaiye said that six pilot Local Government Areas namely; Orumba South, Ayamelum, Awka North, Dunukofia, Anambra West and Ihiala have been selected to benefit in Anambra representing the South-East in the pilot programme.
According to her, six states from the six geo-political zones were selected to benefit from the pilot scheme of the `Livelihood Top Up Programme’ expected to last for three years.
She hinted that the 15 more Local Government Areas will be added in Anambra in due course, explaining that after the pilot programme, the agency would extend the programme to more states.
Sinkaiye who was represented by National Communication Officer of the agency, Mr Henry Ayede, noted that the livelihood is the third phase of cash transfer was targeted at alleviating poorest Nigerians from the economic condition.
The DG of the agency advised prospective beneficiaries of programme to see their selection as a life sustaining opportunity.
Mr Raph Enukorah, Head of the Cash Transfer Unit, Anambra State, explained that the six council areas in the state were selected based on their poverty rating.
Enukorah said that the state selected Health as a top up priority to strengthen the child and maternal healthcare, noting that most of the beneficiaries were pregnant and nursing mothers as well as children from zero to five years.
Mr Christian Obiajulu, Livelihood Cash Transfer Officer in the state noted that the beneficiaries would be paid N5, 000 monthly stipend which according to him would be paid by-monthly for three years starting from August, 2020 to 2023.
He said under the programme, the beneficiaries are encouraged to form cooperative society groups to enable them save, adding those who show seriousness would be supported with N100, 000 grant to further boost their enterprises at the end.
