Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, on Thursday said the Federal Government has paid N25,000 each to 3.5 million Nigerians under the conditional cash transfer scheme.
She made the disclosure on Channels TV programme, Politics Today, two months after the launch of the scheme targeting 15m vulnerable households as part of efforts to cushion the impact of the fuel subsidy removal.
Edu said the ministry verified the first tranch of the beneficiaries and is still in the same process as the scheme continues. According to the minister, the list is being expanded to accommodate more people like retirees.
She said; “We have so far paid 3.5 million Nigerians N25,000 each. Of course, we are out on the field and covering another 4.5 million in the next one week so we will have altogether close to about 8 million people between now and the end of the year.
“A total of 480 persons are on that list. They are presently undergoing their in-person verification because if we cannot verify who you are and where you are and that you are below the poverty line, you are not qualified to be on that social register”.
On other government programmes, she said FG is paying several months arrears to N-Power beneficiaries, which was owed them by the former President Muhammadu Buhari government.
Edu said; “Presently, a payment for N-Power is ongoing; we were in the office yesterday up until the early hours of this morning, just to ensure that young people get monies which they have been owed from the last government.
“So, N-Power beneficiaries across the nation, I am sure you can attest to the fact that you are seeing your money in your accounts and this process will continue until the last person who indeed has served is being paid.
“And of course, all of this is being restructured to ensure that we reduce unemployment and create jobs for Nigerians”.
