The Plateau State Government on Tuesday began disbursement of N5000 monthly stipend under Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) to 74, 000 indigent beneficiaries in the state.

Dr Sumaye Hamza, Executive Assistant to Gov. Simon Lalong and focal person, National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) disclosed this in a chat with newsmen at Mangu-Hale, venue of the disbursement in the Central zone.

Hamza explained that the payment of the cash to beneficiaries was unfortunately delayed to this period due to some administrative bottle necks at the national office.

“We have resumed payment of the conditional cash to the 74, 000 beneficiaries within 17 Local Government Areas of Plateau. This time we are starting at both Central and Southern Zones of the state with the payment of N20,000 covering four months, January – April, 2021.

“By next month we will pay another tranche of four months, which is from May to August to complete the backlog.

“The 74, 000 beneficiaries is a huge leap from the initial 26,000 persons earlier captured under the CCT program, which began in 2018 in Plateau,” she added.

The focal person said that the payments were part of the All Progressive Congress (APC’s) designed programme of lifting 100 million people out of poverty.

Also speaking, Mrs Hilda Buenyen, Head of unit , CCT, said: “As soon as we are through with the Central and Southern Zones, we shall commence payment in the Northern Zone.

“We have concluded plans to go into cashless payments through bank transfers for effectiveness and efficiency once we are through with cash payment up to August, 2021.

Mr Lawrence Danat, Executive Chairman, Mangu LGA, lauded the cash payment to the citizens, describing it as “very timely” and “soul lifting” given the conditions of the beneficiaries.

Represented by Hon Luqman Shuaibu-Daniyok, Supervisory Councilor for Health, Danat thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his foresight and magnanimity to the country’s vulnerable citizens.

A cross section of the beneficiaries, who spoke to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also applauded the Federal Government for the gesture.

Mrs Rauta Nyaku, a blind widow from kikyau village in Mangu said: “This N20,000 covering four months came at the proper time as my children will be resuming school next Month, September

To Mr Manasseh Dagwan, a farmer, said that only God could reward the APC government for showing concern to the plight and sufferings of poor citizens like him in Mangu LGA.