Gov, Dauda Lawal Flags-Off NG-Cares Cash Transfer To 44,000 Beneficiaries From 14 LGAs

By Aminu Abdullahi Gusau 

No fewer than 44,000 people across the fourteen local government areas of Zamfara State have today benefited from the NG-Cares Cash transfer.

Flagging off the program, Governor Dauda Lawal said that, Zamfara State has made a wonderful progress, with over one million beneficiaries recorded accross the various cycles of the program.

He said the achievements were made possible following the dedicated efforts of the state Community Development Agency, Fadama III Project, and the Ministry of Commerce, among others. 

According to him, the financial gains from this initiative were equally impressive, with earnings of about 64 billion naira across three cycles

The governor explained that, the first category of the  Cash transfer which was launched today was a Labour-Intensive Public Workfare scheme where each beneficiary would receive N20,000 monthly over a period of one year, stressing that, 60% of the allocation are for women, while the remaining 40% are for men. 

According to him, the second category is the Social Transfers, in which 10,000 would be provided monthly for a period of one year to each beneficiary in the category of the physically challenged individuals, the chronically ill, and the elderly. 

He noted that, the  support is intended to ease the burden on those who face formidable challenges in their daily lives and ensure that they can live with relative dignity and comfort"

He added  that, 150,000 payment is targeted to small-scale business owners, said equal consideration would be given to men and women, with specific trades that are identified to cater for and improve their respective areas of expertise. 

"From tailoring to food vending, this initiative intends to revitalise small businesses and create a ripple-effect of economic growth across our communities"

Similarly, the Grants to SMEs will provide a one-off payment of N50,000 to targeted groups, including Yan Agaji, female-headed households, and scholars from Makarantar Allo and Islamiya schools. 

Dr Dauda Lawal disclosed that, the measures was designed to empower diverse segments of the population and strengthen the foundation of the state local economy.

He commend the NG-CARES Steering Committee and Implementation Units for their dedication and commitment to excellence, saying that their hard work made it possible that the interventions get to those who need them the most in transparent and effective manner.

The Governor however advised the beneficiaries to make the best use of the best opportunity, nothing that, the resources are meant to uplift their lives and improve their livelihoods. 

In his remark, the Deputy Governor Malan Mani warned the chairmen of the fourteen local government areas saddled with the responsibilities of disbursement of the gesture to fear God, and ensure that no any complaints come from the beneficiaries.

'This is a standing order given to you, if we hear any complaints about the disbursements of this gesture from any local government, the chairman of that local government would be held responsible and we will no longer accept it " Malan Mani stated.

The program which was held at JB Yakubu Secretariat Gusau, was witnessed by some Emirs in the state, civil society organisations, top government functionaries and politicians among others.