The Kogi State Government has trained beneficiaries towards the disbursement of N150,000 Livelihood Support Grant (Disbursement Linked Indicator-DLI 1.3) intervention to each of the 570 beneficiaries across the state.
The intervention is under the stateβs COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (KG-CARES).
Hajia Falilat Abdulrasaq, the Head of Delivery Platform for Social Transfer and Livelihood Support Grant (DLI 1.1 & 1.3) KG-CARES, disclosed this at a one-day training organised for beneficiaries on Thursday in Lokoja.
She said each benefiary would be given the sum of N150,000 after he or she must have completed the Business Plan showing the details about the business before intervention.
According to her, 27 beneficiaries were carefully selected from each of the 21 local government areas through the state social register of less privileged and vulnerable, which is domiciled with the State Operations Coordinating Unit.
She noted that the register generated for this purpose had been verified and certified credible and reliable by the World Bank.
”As a result of the effect of covid 19 pandemic on families, the States, Federal Government and World Bank, initiated the programme to assist and improve the economic fortunes of families.
She noted that the training had been held in the East , West and Central senatorial districts of the state, stressing that the local government Areas, Bassa, Kogi, Lokoja and Ajaokuta which are contiqous to the state capital are having training today
”After this training, the recipients are expected to complete the business plan, and anywhere they found it difficult, they are expected to contact the Desk officers, CTFs and GROs who are our foot soldiers.
“They are to work alongside cash transfer Unit to develop the business plan and once it is concluded and certified by independent verifier to be ok, grant will be disbursed.
”However, not all will receive the fund the same time, it will be on first come first served. All these mechanisms were put in place to ensure the fund is judiciously utilised.” She said.
She noted that the livelihood support grant DLI 1.3, was the second DLI that the state Cash Transfer Unit would be implementing.
In his remarks, the permanent Secretary, Kogi Ministry of Women Affairs, who is the Chairman of the training session, Mr. Teddy Adegbola, thanked Governor Yahaya Bello and the Federal Government for their care and support for the vulnerable and the poorest of the poor, affected by COVID-19 Pandemic.
He urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the fund to improve their economic well-being and that of their families and communities.
The royal father of the day, the Maigeri of Lokoja, HRM, Muhammudu Makarfi 11, commended the Governments for the wonderful financial package, aimed at reducing economic burden on families as a result of covid 19.
The traditional ruler warned the beneficiaries against engaging in frivolities, and urged them to invest in endeavours with low risk in the volatile economy.
A beneficiary from Lokoja metropolis, who is a professional barber, Teidi Adamu, said the grant was a dream come through for him to grow the business.
Also, Miss Falilat Yisa, an POS operator, expressed her gratitude to God, Gov. Yahaya and President Muhammadu Buhari for choosing her for the grant.
”I will use the money to register my own POS business, which will be the biggest and most patronised in Kotonkarfe/Kogi LGA,” she said
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