The Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Unit in Bauchi says it has introduced electronic payment system to beneficiaries in the state, for ease of transaction.
State Coordinator of the unit, Mr Jibrin Yusuf, said in Alkaleri, Bauchi, on Wednesday while launching the new mode of payment, that the system would address logistic challenges and the crowding of beneficiaries at centres during payment.
“The electronic payment mode will ease logistics problems and the congestion of beneficiaries at centres during payment period.
“We are using the new system in effecting payment of September and October entitlements,to also reduce the challenges of transportation,” he said.
Also speaking while monitoring the disbursement in Alkaleri, the state CCT Focal Person,MrAliyu Abdullahi, said 1,183 beneficiaries from 20 communities in Alkaleri Local Government Area, were being paid using the newly introduced electronic payment mode.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CCT is one of the many Social Investment Programmes introduced by the Federal Government aimed at poverty alleviation.
The requirement for implementation of the CCT in states is the possession of an existing social register that identifies the most vulnerable and poorest Nigerians in their localities, through a community-based targeting method designed by the World Bank.
The other three programmes are: N-Power Volunteer Corps, which is designed to hire half a million unemployed graduates; the National Homegrown School Feeding Programme, which aims to provide meals to school children.
The social investment programmes also includes the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), which provides soft loans ranging from N10,000 to N100,000 for artisans, traders, market women, amongst others. (NAN)