Muhammad Garba
The process for opening a Bank account by the beneficiaries of Jigawa State Government conditional cash transfer (CCT) for lactating mothers and pregnant women has hindered the take-off of the intervention of N5,000 monthly cash transfer in the state.
The State Deputy Governor Malam Umar Namadi revealed this while fielding questions from newsmen on the delay for the implementation program.
He said, the state government has captured the program in the 2021 and 2022 budget but the process of opening accounts for the beneficiaries met some challenges.
“Opening account is our major problem, as over 1,200 beneficiaries have no valid identification card (national or voters card) as well as about 400 beneficiaries have issues with their Bank Verification Number.”
Malam Namadi furhter explained that the program which was initiated by the state government is aims at encouraging rural women to attend ante-natal, post-natal and hospital delivery.
He noted that the monthly stipend is also expected to assist the beneficiaries to buy required food to enhance their nutrition and that of their children to avoid falling into malnutrition problems.
The Deputy Governor also revealed that out of the 5,000 women, the state has succeeded in opening the account for only 3,800 and it has resolved to commence the payment from February and equally continue working with banks and relevant agencies to resolve the problems of the remaining 1,200.
“Those whose problems can’t be resolved will be replaced with other women who fulfilled the criteria.
“The beneficiaries were selected from 287 political wards for piloting the program and the number could be increased after assessing the impacts of the program.”
He however assured the beneficiaries that, the money has been appropriate in the 2022 budget and the state government will not renegade on its determination to use all necessary procedures and mechanisms to tackle the high rate of maternal and child death in the state.
