Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara says there is enough evidence to prove that the cash transfer programme of the Muhammadu Buhari regime for vulnerable people is a workable solution to extreme poverty.
Mr AbdulRazaq said this in Ilorin at the launch of the United Nations Development Programme, Socio-Economic Revitalisation Support Programme, which targets over 3,000 vulnerable families and small businesses for unconditional cash transfer.
The governor commended president Buhari, stating that “Cash transfer to vulnerable people has proven to be a workable solution to extreme poverty.”
Mr AbdulRazaq said there was evidence to prove that the funds have helped the needy and also empowered people.
“In Kwara State, we have long domiciled the cash transfer policy of President Muhammadu Buhari. It works for us as it has worked for the federal government.
“Through our social investment programmes and some other interventions, we have reduced the poverty rate from 30.2% to 20.4%.
“Like our own Owo Arugbo, I am aware that the UNDP’s cash transfer has no strings attached,” the governor said.
He commended the federal government and UNDP for making impactful contributions to strengthen small-scale businesses and comfort the masses after the pandemic.
“The Economic Revitalisation Programme (unconditional cash transfer) that we are launching today is another evidence of how much the UNDP cares about the inclusion of everyone for sustainable growth.
“This initiative is a life-saver for vulnerable families and small businesses who were badly hit following the COVID-19 pandemic,” he stressed.
In attendance were the Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari, a representative of the Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Israel Echukwu; resident representative of UNDP in Nigeria, Mohamed Yahaya.
Others were cabinet members; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on SDGs, DJemilat Bio; and representative of chairman YOLAS Consultancy, Lanre Sagaya.
The governor had earlier led the Chief of Staff, UNDP officials and other dignitaries on an inspection of the office of the State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP), where they saw applicants of Kwapreneur 3.0 speak to their pitches.
