The president had on that same day, November 1st, that Ministers would sign a performance agreement with him at the end of the 3-day cabinet retreat for ministers, presidential aids, permanent secretaries and top Government functionaries.
The Honourable Minister, Dr. Betta Edu, while responding to questions from State House Correspondents on the day two of the three-day retreat at the State House Conference Center, Abuja, stated that the ongoing payment of N25,000 to poor households in Nigeria via the conditional cash transfer programme for the next three months, amounting to N75,000, was part of it.
The minister explained that although the Programme is for an immediate cushioning of the economic shock that these households are experiencing as a result of fuel subsidy removal, it will contribute to directly affecting the lives of 61 million individuals which is about 15 million households from poverty.
Edu added that the process is being carried out rigorously to ensure that the right people get the money. And it is completely traceable. She said the government is identifying the beneficiaries, verifying their identities through their NINs and BVNs, and ensuring that they are paid. Many have started receiving funds, and their details are traceable. The Ministry will partner with NIMC to ensure the very poor across the nation get their NIN so they can access funds.
The Minister emphasised that the government does not want to rush into paying people and then realise that they don’t even exist. We pay only those with NIN and BVN, whom we have