The minister of humanitarian Alaffairs and poverty reduction, Bernard Doro, says the federal government is implementing a unified and transparent poverty response system for proper coordination.
Mr Doro made the statement during an engagement with beneficiaries of the HOPE Conditional Cash Transfer (Hope-CT) programme in Uyo on Saturday.
It would be recalled that HOPE-CT is a major federal government poverty response programme under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The minister said the engagement was to assess the programme’s reach and its ability to improve the wellbeing of households in Akwa Ibom.
“As a government, we need to be sure that the support is reaching the intended households, and improving their livelihood.
“Part of the reason for this event is to strengthen accountability, deepen awareness, and guide future policy direction.
“My reasoning is that interventions should not only be designed in offices, they should be validated in communities and experienced by the people,” he said.
“The HOPE-CT programme has so far reached 9.47 million households across the nation, but some Nigerians may not be aware of this programme,” he said.
The minister commended Mr Tinubu for placing the welfare of Nigerians at the centre of governance through the Renewed Hope vision.
In his remarks, Governor Umo Eno commended the federal government for embarking on initiatives capable of lifting Nigerian households out of poverty.
Represented by the commissioner for humanitarian affairs, Emem Ibanga, Mr Eno said the ongoing poverty reduction programmes would make a huge difference in the national economy.
“The efforts of the Federal Government are commendable. They are helping to improve the welfare of vulnerable groups through targeted humanitarian programmes,” he said.
Philomena Asuquo, a beneficiary from Uruan Local Government Area, commended the federal government for the cash transfer initiative.
Ms Asuquo said the programme had helped to cushion the effects of the tough economic conditions in the country.
(NAN)
