By Ayodele Oni

As part of measures to cushion the hardship occasioned by present administration’s economic policies, Kebbi State Government has disbursed N6.5bn to 65, 000 people under ‘Kaura Cares’ Livelihood Support programme.

While flagging- off the disbursement exercise through Point of Sale (POS) to the targeted beneficiaries in Birnin Kebbi on Monday, Governor Nasir Idris said the livelihood support programme was very important as it provides privilege to beneficiaries and will improve their living conditions.

He announced that each of the beneficiaries received N100,000 which is unprecedented in the history of the nation and it’s only surpassed by the Federal Government.

“This scheme is in fulfilment of my campaign promise to the people of Kebbi State, and I have multiplied the number of beneficiaries by four times of the initial figure.”

He added that his administration will continue to implement similar programmes, either under the World Bank, the Federal or the State Government which will be beneficial to the people.

The Governor said “I have watched clips of video of those who had earlier benefited from the programme, from what I have seen, there is a peculiar recipient who has been going from one place to another in search of medical care.

“I am hereby directing the Ministry of Health to identify them for medical treatment in Nigeria or abroad and the state will shoulder the responsibility.”

Idris reiterated his commitment to improving the welfare and prosperity of the people of the state, saying that the programme had detached the people from poverty in the state.

“My government is determined to fight poverty under whatever dimension and provide the much needed basic social services to all communities.

“I urge you to make good use of the support funds you have received, use it for yourselves and as an investment for generation to come.”

Earlier, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Abba Sani-Kalgo, announced that the governor approved N6.5 billion for disbursement to 65,000 beneficiaries across the state.

Sani-Kalgo said the Kaura Cares had continued to meet its target objectives of intervention, to support farming communities, increase yields and serve with effectiveness in poverty eradication.

“The livelihood cash grant today is in fulfilment of the promise by the governor to provide such funds to 15,000 people but in his wisdom, the governor has quadrupled the number to 65,000 beneficiaries.”

Sani-Kalgo said that the beneficiaries were chosen by their various communities without interference by the governor or his subordinates.

Earlier, the state Programme Coordinator NG-Cares, Dr Rukayya Muhammad-Bawa, said that the NG-CARES programme is a beacon of hope, designed to uplift the most vulnerable citizens and enhance livelihood across the state.

“Under the livelihood intervention 1.1, from inception, we have enrolled 1,950 beneficiaries that have received N10,000 monthly for the period of two years. These beneficiaries were mined from the state social register that were either aged, chronically ill, persons with special needs or urban poor.

“Just recently, Governor Nasir Idris has given the approval to enrol another 5,850 beneficiaries who will also be receiving N10,000 monthly for the period of one year.”

Muhammad-Bawa added that for the direct livelihood intervention 1.3, of the programme, a sum of N200 million was disbursed to 1,050 beneficiaries under the livelihood grants scheme in the first phase.

“From inception to date, the state has disbursed over N8.5 billion to over 85,000 beneficiaries ranging from N100,000, N200,000 and N200,000.

” These funds are aimed at empowering individuals to establish and expand income- generating activities, thereby creating sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their families.”