• CBOs/CSOs to assist with enumeration
• Minimum of 10,000 beneficiaries for the first phase
• Disbursement won’t be delayed
Kwara State government has begun the enumeration for beneficiaries of Owo- Arugbo, the conditional cash transfer (CCT) component of the Kwara State Social Investment Program (KWASSIP) in Offa and Oyun Local governments on Monday.
The enumeration team also started data capturing in Ilorin West, East, and South local government areas yesterday as the government works to improve its output in the coming days.
The scheme targets indigent adults who are 60 years and above.
However, there are other criteria like health status, physical challenges, dependency ratio, income net put in place by the government to ensure the relief money gets to the most deserving in the state.
Also, there is an exception for the Persons With Disabilities to be eligible from 50 years upward.
It is instructive to note that persons earlier captured for Owo Isowo, the micro-lending scheme for petty traders are not eligible for Owo Arugbo.
The government in line with its vision of the participatory method of governance has enlisted the support of CBOs/CSOs alongside community leaders to help in the identification of the indigent senior citizens and seamless distribution of wealth for the desired impacts.
Hajia Raliatu, a prospective beneficiary in the Baboko ward, commended the state government for giving definite commitment to the welfare of the senior citizens in the state.
“We are grateful to the government for not abandoning us at this critical time. The aged persons suffer a lot normally. You can imagine now that even the youths are handicapped. This money will ease our lack during the Holy month. That is thoughtful of them,” he remarked.
In a similar vein, Alhaji Razaki Adio a septuagenarian from Eruda charged the AbdulRazaq- led administration to be unrelenting at all fronts on its vision to reposition the state social and economic standing.
“Weeks ago some people came to register our women. They said the government will give them soft loans for business. I am glad to be considered for this relief scheme today. This shows this administration is inclusive. May God guide them for us.”
Meanwhile, the government is determined to ramp-up data capturing statewide in order to fast track the disbursement of funds for the indigents.
Muhammed Brimah
Anchor, Kwara State Social Investment Programmes (KWASSIP)
