Benin – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in collaboration with the Edo Government on Wednesday launched a $1 million Cash Transfer Scheme (CTS) for vulnerable households in the state.
The Nigerian Observer reports that the scheme, which was tagged: “Sustainable Mechanism for Improving Livelihoods and Household Empowerment (SMILE) CTS,” was launched in Benin .
The Mission Director of USAID, Mr Mike Harvey, said the project was funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
He said that the project was being implemented by the Catholic Relief Service to improve the livelihood of vulnerable households, especially those living with HIV/Aids in the state.
Harvey said that the US government was committed to assisting the Nigerian government in tackling its HIV/Aids issues in the country.
He, however, urged the Nigerian government to show commitment to reducing the plight of HIV/Aids victims in the country.
Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Edo State Government (SSG), Prof. Julius Ihonvebere, said that the project was timely and would make meaningful impact in the lives of the beneficiaries.
The SSG, while commending the support of the US government, urged the beneficiaries to use the money judiciously and for the right purpose.
Also speaking, the Chief of Party of the SMILE project, Dr Emeka Anoje, said that 2,400 households in Edo would benefit from the CTS project.
He said that the beneficiaries were drawn from eight local government areas in the state and would be given N20, 000 each.
The guest lecturer at the event, Prof. Eddy Erhagbe, said that there was need for citizens to be lifted above poverty level so that they could contribute meaning fully to the development of their country.
Erhagbe said that government should collaborate more with Non Governmental Organisations to give assistance to vulnerable people in the society.
