Despite the economic recession in Nigeria, the Ekiti State Government has started the payment of N5, 000 each to the 10,000 beneficiaries of its social welfare
scheme.
The beneficiaries, who are indigent people and cut across various sections of the society, started receiving their first payment through their various banks account on Wednesday.
In a broadcast by the State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, in Ado-Ekiti, he said the money was being paid directly into the accounts of the beneficiaries.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, quoted the governor as saying the step was also a means of ameliorating the financial challenges being faced by the masses.
The governor gave the assurance that despite the economic downturn, his administration would find ways of helping the downtrodden to cope and live in some level of comfort.
He said the 10,000 beneficiaries were the first phase of the scheme, adding that; “as soon as the economy of the State improves, another 10,000 beneficiaries will be added.”
He added that beneficiaries were chosen to cut across the physically-challenged, the albinos, visually-impaired, the aged among others.
He explained that by directly crediting accounts of beneficiaries, the state has eliminated fraud and ensured that the real beneficiaries got their money.