The National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO), through the Household Prosperity and Empowerment Programme – Conditional Cash Transfer (HOPE-CT), has said it has begun direct cash transfers to 110,517 poor and vulnerable households in Bauchi State as part of efforts to reduce poverty, strengthen resilience to economic shocks, and promote human capital development.
The beneficiaries would receive varying amounts depending on their category, with payments ranging from N25,000 to N72,000.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony for the continuation of debit card distribution under the Renewed Hope Agenda on Tuesday at the Bauchi local government Secretariat, the overseeing Commissioner for the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hon. Amina Muhammad Katagum, said the initiative demonstrates the federal government’s commitment to improving the welfare of vulnerable households through direct financial assistance.
According to her, the programme is designed to reduce poverty, strengthen livelihoods, and provide beneficiaries with secure access to financial support.
She explained that distributing debit cards would enhance transparency and accountability by ensuring beneficiaries receive their funds directly.
Katagum disclosed that following the flag-off, officials of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Unit would visit all 20 local government areas of the state to distribute debit cards and ensure that all targeted beneficiaries receive the intervention.
The state programme manager of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, Hajiya Hadiza Abdulkadir, said a total of 110,517 poor and vulnerable households across Bauchi State would benefit from the programme.
She stated that 16,497 beneficiaries from Bauchi Local Government Area had already begun receiving their debit cards and accessing the intervention.
Abdulkadir noted that the programme was established to support poor and vulnerable households and alleviate hardship.
She added that arrangements were at an advanced stage for another intervention partner to support disadvantaged populations across the state.
She commended Governor Bala Mohammed for his support towards the successful implementation of the programme.
According to her, the initiative is being implemented under the National Social Safety Nets Project Scale-Up (NASS-SU), with support from the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, in collaboration with the World Bank.
She explained that all beneficiaries were biometrically verified and linked to their National Identification Numbers (NINs) to ensure transparency and accountability.
“We sincerely express our appreciation to Governor Bala Mohammed for his unwavering support and commitment to improving the welfare of poor and vulnerable households across Bauchi State,” she said.
Hadiza added that the initiative reflects the government’s dedication to promoting financial inclusion, reducing poverty, and improving the living conditions of vulnerable families.
She noted that the use of debit cards would guarantee transparent, efficient, and timely access to financial assistance, enabling beneficiaries to meet their basic needs and improve their standard of living.
Also speaking, the payment officer, Mohammed Bello Dewu, explained the process for activating and using the debit cards.
He revealed that beneficiaries would receive varying amounts depending on their category, with payments ranging from N25,000 to N72,000, after applicable card charges.
Dewu disclosed that some challenges were encountered during data capture exercises in Bauchi and Katagum local government areas, but said the issues had been successfully resolved.
He also expressed concern over certain practices by some beneficiaries and Point of Sale (POS) operators, adding that mechanisms had been introduced to address irregularities during cash withdrawals.
Representing the Chairman of Bauchi Local Government Area, Mahmood Babamaji Abubakar, the Deputy Chairman, Alhaji Mu’azu Luda, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the intervention, noting that it would significantly improve the lives of vulnerable households in the area.
Some beneficiaries, including Malam Hamisu Dauda and Hauwa Muhammad, praised the federal government for the initiative, expressing confidence that the intervention would help reduce poverty among vulnerable populations in the state.
They pledged to make productive use of the resources provided to improve their livelihoods and support their families.
