A’Ibom gets N18.7bn as FG disburses N60bn to S-South

Federal Government says it has so far disbursed N60 billion to South South region under the Household Prosperity and Empowerment-Cash Transfer Programme (HOPE-CT).

It added that Akwa Ibom received N18.7 billion the highest in the region under the programme with 751,000 households touched.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ engagement and interaction with the beneficiaries of HOPE-CT, Weekend in Uyo.

He said, “Across the South-South region, the HOPE-CT has delivered about 60 billion naira. Out of this, Akwa Ibom State benefited 18.7 billion naira, so you can see that it’s actually the highest in the South-South region.”

Doro explained that the state’s lead in disbursement was why it was “deliberately” chosen for the feedback mission from other states in the region.

The Minister who gave a breakdown of the beneficiary spread in the state, said that female beneficiaries made up about 58 percent while males accounted for 42 percent.

On the urban-rural split, he noted that urban areas recorded 48 percent of beneficiaries while rural areas had 51.6 percent, stressing that the Ministry operates “an open and very transparent system.”

“Within this also, female beneficiaries were up to about 58% while male were around 42% and we know that when you empower a woman, you empower the entire household, so we are glad of this achievement.

“Looking at the split between urban and rural area, within the urban area, we recorded 48% of beneficiaries, in the rural areas 51.6% beneficiaries and we operate an open and very transparent system.”

Doro noted that since assuming office, he had been guided by the conviction that interventions “must not only be designed in offices, they must be validated in communities and experienced by the people.”

He disclosed that the Ministry was working towards a “One Humanitarian One Poverty Response System” to ensure interventions are coordinated, transparent, and effective.

Doro said the feedback would guide future policy decisions and strengthen programme delivery nationwide.

Speaking earlier, the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno commended  President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to people-oriented programmes, noting that “the Renewed Hope Agenda is indeed living up to its name, rekindling hope where despair once reigned.”

The Governor, represented by the Commissioner For Humanitarian Affairs, Princess Emem Ibanga, thanked the Minister for undertaking the tour personally rather than delegating, saying it “demonstrates a deep commitment and genuine passion for matters concerning the vulnerable and underserved.”

Mr Abel Enang, one of the beneficiaries of the programme, said he was captured last year and received N75,000, adding that he invested the money in vegetable farming which has yielded good returns.

Another beneficiary, Ms Uduak Uyire, said she was also captured last year and received N75,000, stating she used the money to rent land, planted crops, and has made gains from the investment.