By Saviour Miracle:
The Federal Government under the ministry of Humanitarian Affairs & Poverty Alleviation has flagged off the verification of names on the national social register also regarded as a register for ‘poor Nigerians’.
According to the Humanitarian Affairs & Poverty Alleviation Minister, Dr. Betta Edu, the exercise has commenced across the country and would last for three weeks.
The national social register had earlier been rejected by the national economic council (NEC) for lacking credibility. This prompted Betta to partner with states to verify all names on the register to reflect the citizens who are most vulnerable. According to Betta Edu, the verification has commenced in Oko Agbon, Adogbo, Migbewhe, Makoko, Sogunro and Apollo villages in Lagos state, noting that it was necessary to guide FG pay those truly in need to assist in their businesses, livelihood, education, to be able to pay fees for their children, improve access to social services, subsidize their daily transportation cost, give them spending power to provide for basic health care need and job creation, etc.
“To enable us to function well, we need to verify the national social register, the president has given approval that we should go down to the grassroots and ensure that the national social register is a true reflection of truly poor people,” Betta said.
The minister added that the federal government is prepared to disburse money to support Nigerians in their livelihoods, education, and businesses and also create employment opportunities.