Pascal Arogorn Ibe
The Federal Government on Tuesday said about 24. 3 million poor Nigerians would get N 5, 000 each for a period of six months .
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, disclosed this at the inauguration of the Federal Government ’ s emergency intervention database for the urban poor.
A statement issued in Abuja by her aide , Nneka Anibeze , said the intervention would serve as cushion for those further impoverished by the COVID – 19 pandemic.
The statement read in part, “ According to records , about 24. 3 million poor and vulnerable individuals were identified at the end of 2020 and registered into the National Social Register.
“ Each beneficiary will receive N 5, 000 for a period of six months . ”
Farouq said the intervention database was needed to develop the capacity for rapid response to any emergency including natural or man -made disasters .
The minister said the Rapid Response Register was designed to rapidly identify, register and provide succour to people who were not previously captured in the social register .
Speaking on the RRR, the Vice President , Prof. Yemi Osinbajo , said the register deployed a wholly technology -based approach , adding that it was primed to achieve an end – to -end digital foot -print in cash transfers for the urban poor.
This , he said , would also help the government to achieve its financial inclusion policy under the Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access programme .
He said , “ The groundbreaking success of the RRR now emboldens us to achieve our aspiration of a social security programme for a minimum of 20 million Nigerians in the next two years . This will be the largest of its kind on the continent. ”
Osinbajo also hinted that the Federal Government would seek funding for the intervention programmes as the country deserved a social security scheme that would not only alleviate poverty but also create wealth for millions of those waiting for the opportunity.
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