The Federal Government has revamped its cash transfer programme to combat fraud, with immediate implementation of direct payments.
Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy disclosed this in an interview on channels television.
This adjustment aims to uphold the President’s commitment to supporting vulnerable groups amid rising food prices, promising direct transfers of N75,000 to 15 million households over three months.
He said:
Enhanced verification through National Identification Number (NIN), Bank Verification Number (BVN) or access to mobile money account is part of the strategy to ensure integrity and reach the intended beneficiaries.
This overhaul follows suspensions and investigations into alleged misappropriations within the program.
Betta Edu was earlier suspended as a humanitarian affairs minister due to the misappropriation of N585 million earmarked for palliative distribution.
Also, Edu’s predecessor, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, is being investigated by the EFCC. The ex-minister is being probed over an alleged laundering of N37.1 billion during her tenure as a minister.
The finance minister also expressed the government’s commitment to ensuring access to affordable foods for the average Nigerians, He added that the government has planned to provide an additional 60,000 metric tons of grains for food and feed mills.
He said:
Edun also disclosed that another N50 billion non-refundable grant will be distributed to at least 1000 artisans, traders, and nano businesses in all 774 government areas in the country.
The finance minister said:
