FG, Ondo begin verification of future beneficiaries ahead of N9.9bn disbursement

By Boye Oyeyemi

The Federal Government and Ondo State Government have commenced moves to verify beneficiaries of the N9.9bn disbursed under the Household Prosperity and Empowerment Cash Transfer programme in the state.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa disclosed this on Monday while receiving the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro, during a visit to the Government House in Akure.

In his remarks, Aiyedatiwa stressed the need for closer collaboration between federal and state authorities, noting that effective implementation of social intervention programmes depends on strong grassroots structures.

Commending President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, he described the cash transfer initiative as a critical support scheme for vulnerable households, revealing that Ondo had recorded 396,671 beneficiary households across three tranches, with the South-West region receiving about N62bn under the scheme.

The governor, however, identified challenges with National Identification Number registration among some beneficiaries and directed officials to intensify efforts to address the gap.

In his remarks, the humanitarian affairs and poverty reduction minister said the visit formed part of a nationwide assessment of the programme, which he noted had so far reached over nine million households across the country, adding that selected beneficiaries would be engaged to confirm receipt of funds and provide feedback.

He went on to describe the exercise as crucial to improving accountability and future policy directio