Beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme in Ogun State have begun to receive Debit Cards for the payment of monthly stipends.

CCT, which is also known as Household Uplifting Programme (HUP), is an initiative of the Federal Government under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, aimed at reducing poverty by making welfare programmes conditional upon the receiver’s action.  

 Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Hon. Olufemi Ilori-Oduntan, while speaking at the distribution and activation of Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) of the debit cards in Ikenne Local Government Area, said the digitisation became necessary to ensure transparency and accountability.

Ilori-Oduntan stated that the method would also make payment more accessible to the intended beneficiaries in achieving the objectives of the programme, saying “this mode of payment makes it easier for beneficiaries to withdraw their stipends at any point in time and eliminate attacks on them”.

The Commissioner explained that the debit cards being issued to 9,593 beneficiaries were preloaded with N50,000 for the payment of the backlog of 10 months stipends.

In her remarks, the Head, State Cash Transfer Unit, HUP- CCT, Mrs. Funmi Baker said the beneficiaries could withdraw their money at any Point of Sale (POS) or Automated Teller Machine (ATM) at any time, adding that the debit cards had erased the payment of cash by hand.

Baker noted that ‘’the pilot programme began in Ogun in October, 2020, and bank accounts have been opened for all beneficiaries, to deliver financial support to the vulnerable households under the scheme’’, admonishing them not to disclose their PINs to anyone.

Two of the beneficiaries, Mr. Kayode Ali and Mrs. Esther Adefolahan appreciated the Federal and State Governments for fulfilling their promises in alleviating the sufferings of the vulnerable in the society, saying the money would uplift them in their businesses and also sustain their livelihood.