The Edo State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has commenced the distribution of debit cards to vulnerable residents under the National Cash Transfer Programme.
The Public Relations Officer of the ministry, Mrs. Andrea Olu-Martins, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Benin City.
Olu-Martins stated that the distribution is being carried out in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, the World Bank, and the National Cash Transfer Office.
She noted that the exercise began in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, where 1,908 beneficiaries received their debit cards.
Speaking during the distribution, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Bisi Idaomi, represented by the Director of NGO and Partner Coordination Department, Mr. Nosa Nesta Efemwenkiekie, described the programme as a significant intervention that would improve the livelihoods of vulnerable households across the state.
“I am delighted to witness vulnerable households in Ikpoba-Okha benefiting from the Federal Government’s Cash Transfer Programme. This programme will improve the livelihoods of vulnerable people across Edo,” he said.
The Head of Administration of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Mr. Evbu Oboh, commended the initiative and called for intensified public sensitisation to ensure more eligible residents are aware of and benefit from the programme.
The Coordinator of the Edo State Cash Transfer Unit, Mrs. Queensley Eboigbodin, explained that the programme, which started in 2019, provides ₦75,000 to eligible households and ₦25,000 to eligible individuals to cushion the effects of economic hardship. Beneficiaries receive the funds through debit cards issued after successful verification and enrolment.
The State Coordinator of the Social Investment Programme, Mr. Ehigie Osahon, noted that prospective beneficiaries are identified through data generated by the State Operations Coordinating Unit before undergoing verification and enrolment at the national level. This process, he said, ensures that only qualified individuals are included.
The debit card distribution was facilitated by TeasyPay, the payment service provider engaged by the World Bank for the programme.
The initiative is expected to provide much-needed financial relief to vulnerable households and contribute to poverty reduction efforts across Edo State. Further distribution phases are anticipated in other local government areas in the coming weeks.
