Fatshimetrie News recently reported on a laudable initiative in Nasarawa State, where Rhoda Agbawu, Program Manager of the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer Office, made an important announcement. While opening a three-day orientation training for field officers from the 13 local government areas in the state, Agbawu unveiled an ambitious financial assistance package.
This program plans to allocate the sum of ₦25,000 to each beneficiary, drawn from the 13 local constituencies of the state, over a period of three months. It should be noted that the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer Program is an extension of the National Social Safety Net Project which began over five years ago.
The initiative was renamed the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer Program to align with the political agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which resulted in a significant increase in the number of beneficiaries in the state. The number of beneficiaries increased from 48,624 to 138,015 across all local areas, compared to only six local areas in the past.
To date, the office has managed to register 80,000 households out of 138,015 potential beneficiaries, before the process was temporarily suspended. This suspension was aimed at allowing beneficiaries to open accounts and link their Bank Verification Numbers to their National Identity Numbers.
The beneficiary registration and payment process is now digitalized to ensure transparency and accountability. This major development required the training of field agents to ensure adequate implementation of the program.
In a message of support, Margaret Elayo, Commissioner for Special Affairs, Human Services, Social Services and Non-Governmental Organizations, commended field officers and staff for the success achieved so far in implementing implementation of the program. She noted that Nasarawa State had been well rated for its engagement in the National Social Safety Net Project, attributing this success to the commitment and dedication of the team involved.
This conditional cash transfer initiative demonstrates the legitimate concern of Nasarawa State authorities for the well-being of its most vulnerable citizens. By aligning their efforts with national policies and adopting transparent and accountable practices, they build trust and solidarity within the community.