NO fewer than 3,182 vulnerable residents of Ibesikpo-Asutan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have begun receiving ₦238.65 million under the Federal Government’s Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme.
Each beneficiary is entitled to ₦75,000, paid through preloaded debit cards as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to cushion the effects of economic hardship on vulnerable Nigerians.
The disbursement was flagged off on Monday at the Ibesikpo-Asutan Council Hall, marking another phase of the nationwide social intervention programme.
Speaking at the event, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs. Emem Ibanga, said the electronic payment system was introduced to ensure beneficiaries receive their funds directly without interference from middlemen.
She explained that all beneficiaries were selected from the National Social Register, stressing that the process was based strictly on verified data and not political affiliation or personal connections.
According to her, over 56,000 residents across Akwa Ibom State are expected to benefit from the programme, with each receiving ₦75,000 through the debit card payment platform.
Ibanga urged residents to take part in government registration and data collection exercises to improve their chances of benefiting from future social intervention programmes.
She also directed community facilitators and local government coordinators to maintain regular contact with beneficiaries, verify their identities where necessary and help resolve challenges arising from changes in phone numbers or other personal information.
Chairman of Ibesikpo-Asutan Local Government Area, Edidiong Inyang, described the initiative as timely, saying it would bring much-needed relief to struggling families.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Emem Etim Edet from Afaha Atai in Ibesikpo Ward 1, expressed gratitude after receiving the cash support.
“I encouraged many women in my community to register because I believed it was a good programme. I never imagined I would also be selected. This support has restored my hope and will greatly help my family,” she said.
The Conditional Cash Transfer programme is one of the Federal Government’s social protection initiatives aimed at supporting low-income households through direct financial assistance.
