The Abia government has commenced the federal government’s Renewed Hope Cash Transfer (RHCT) for 25,000 poor and vulnerable persons from the state’s 17 local government areas (LGAs).

The programme manager in charge of the disbursement in Abia, Adanna Oke, told journalists that the fund disbursement started on Tuesday at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

She said at least 800 beneficiaries from Isiala Ngwa North LGA received their debit cards for cash withdrawal on the first day.

Ms Oke said beneficiaries from Isialangwa Ngwa North, Umuahia North and Aba South LGAs had received theirs, adding that the disbursement was programmed to last for two weeks.

She also said the beneficiaries would cash the first two tranches once after getting their cards and use the same card to withdraw the third tranche in their communities.

Ms Oke described the programme as a federal government initiative in collaboration with the World Bank and state governments.

She said, “This programme is called Renewed Hope Cash Transfer. It used to be the Household Uplifting Programme.

According to her, the list of the beneficiaries was compiled from a social register from National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO), Abuja.

She commended Governor Alex Otti for supporting the programme and assisting Abia indigenes to get their fair share of the RHCT.

Also, in an interview with journalists, the commissioner urged the beneficiaries to invest their stipends in businesses that would improve their livelihoods.

Two beneficiaries, Blessing Alozie and Monica Mba, who confirmed the receipt of their debit cards, appreciated the federal government’s kind gesture and promised to invest the fund in their petty businesses.

(NAN)