cross river social transfer program flag off disbursement of funds

NG Cares: Asibong Flags-off Disbursement of Funds, As 500 Vulnerable Households Benefits From Cross River Social Transfer Programme

Not fewer than five hundred vulnerable households in Cross River State have received payment of thirty thousand Naira stipends from the Cross River State Social Transfer Fund in collaboration with the federal government Social Investment Programme (SIP).

The programme which is part of the
NG-CARES in partnership with the State CARES Coordinating Unit (SCCU) of Cross River intervention fund.

Speaking during the Flag-off of disbursement of the funds at the Ministry of Women Affairs Headquarters, Calabar, the State Commissioner for International Development Cooperation, Dr Inyang Asibong who represented Governor Ben Ayade, said the disbursement of the monthly stipends which is jointly funded by the Federal and Cross River State Government, is to support the vulnerable, especially the visibly old and widows with low incomes.

Asibong explained that other beneficiaries are those living with disabilities and vulnerable whose businesses were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the Commissioner, the vulnerable were captured in the updated State Social Register domiciled with the ministry of International Development Cooperation (MIDC).

She explained that the thirty thousand naira represents the Ten Thousand Naira monthly stipends for three months which is the batch.

Also Speaking, the Head of Cash Transfer Unit of the programme, Mr Francis Aribiah, said the essence of cash transfer was to fulfil the Federal and State Government collaborations to assist the vulnerable and put smile on their faces in an effort to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.

He noted that the disbursement is in phases and the target is for Two thousand, four hundred and thirty Eight vulnerable and this first phase is for 500 vulnerable across the state.

Some beneficiaries who spoke expressed excitement over the payment and thanked the Federal and the State Government for the kind gesture towards the poor and vulnerable at the grassroots .

On hand to witness the disbursement were the CARES State Coordinator, Mr Chris Anake, Chairman of the Cross River State Community and Social Development Agency, Sir Toni Ikpeme, Senior Special Assistant, International Development Cooperation, Mr Coco-Bassey Esu, PS Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and social Welfare, Heads of CARES Delivery Units among others.