“I have also been informed that the state has announced the expansion of the fund to N400 million in 2019, N800 million in 2020 and N1 billion subsequently.”
Uche Usim, Abuja
Counting on the gains of the Federal Government’s National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), the Minister of Finance, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, on Sunday disclosed that Kaduna State has benefited over N13.5 billion from the scheme since its inception.
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Ahmed, who disclosed this at the Federal College of Education, Zaria, during the disbursement of empowerment funds to women of Zone 1, Kaduna State, noted that the State Women Empowerment Fund (KADSWEF) project has confirmed the political will of the state to toe the line of social investment alongside infrastructural investment.
The Special Adviser to the minister on Media and Communications, Mr Paul Ella Abechi, explained in a statement that Mrs Ahmed acknowledged that there were still more grounds to be covered as she gave the Federal Government’s commitment to the programme.
She stated: “The Federal Government, through the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), has since inception began implementing a number of programmes targeted at improving the lives of Nigerians especially the poor and vulnerable members of our society. Kaduna State, fortunately, is a beneficiary of all the interventions that make up the NSIP, with investment exceeding N13.5 billion.
“There are over 18,000 N-Power volunteers in Kaduna State in addition to 585 Npower build trainees. For these beneficiaries, we have expended over N4 billion.
“The National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme has so far reached over 1 million pupils in about 4,000 schools and has created a sustainable means of livelihood for the over 12,000 women engaged as cooks under the programme. On this programme in Kaduna State alone, we have spent, on your behalf, over N8 billion.
“Another component of the NSIP, the Government Enterprise & Empowerment Programme (GEEP) has given about N1 billion to almost 20,000 beneficiaries. The poorest of the poor have begun benefitting from the National Cash Transfer Programme. In Kaduna State, 10,482 persons have benefitted from a total of N314 million.”
Ahmed, who reiterated the need for support from state governments, commended the efforts of Kaduna State’s government with KADSWEF, describing it as “a superb support to our efforts. I have also been informed that the state has announced the expansion of the fund to N400 million in 2019, N800 million in 2020 and N1 billion subsequently.”
She added: “This is a lot of investment that, if made, and properly utilised by the women beneficiaries, will ensure that a lot of grounds will be covered in our strides towards empowerment of women downtrodden, and small & medium entrepreneurs.
“To those who are yet to benefit, take solace in the fact that KADSWEF has been announced to be an ongoing and incremental programme. Next year may be your turn.”
She, however, urged the beneficiaries to ensure judicious usage of the sums accessed, to ensure prompt payment, and development of their businesses to the next level.
