Pic: His Excellency, Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere (l) presents a cheque to Mr. Venishus Okiri a cheque of N100, 000 during the flag-off of MDG (now SDG) Cash Transfer Programme to empower the three hundred indigent Imolites at Nicks Banquet Hall, Imo State.
Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha through the Sustainable Development Goal, has empowered three hundred indigent citizens of the state in its programme called Cash Transfer Programme.
Governor Okorocha who was represented by his deputy, Prince Eze Madumere charged the recipients to put to use the money they received into trade or any investment of choice, which they have mastered.
He urged them to ensure that their children are no longer sent out to hawk wares since Imo Government has made education free at all levels, saying such will secure the future of their children.
He recalled the underhand practices that held sway before the emergence of the Rescue Mission government, which has delivered to the satisfaction of the partnerships.
He however described the Sustainable Development Goals objective as an effort between the State and the Federal Government to alleviate poverty in the rural areas.
He therefore assured the people of Imo state that the Rescue Mission Government of Owelle Rochas Okorocha will continue to do its part by contributing its counterpart funds to ensure that greater number of imolites benefit.
Speaking earlier, the representative of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDG/SDG, Chukwuemeka Okechukwu spoke on the new approach towards ensuring that the SDG meets its new target in 2030. He explained that the new approach, which he called Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme will ensure compliance on the part of the recipients, which will discipline them towards meeting the set goal of living the poverty line. Some of the conditions he mentioned are the requirement for the recipients to ensure that their children are in school and also go for necessary health care when necessary.
In her address, Imo State Focal Person, Nma Nzeribe – Michaels commended Governor Okorocha for his religious adherence to the conditions of the programme by ensuring that Imo State consistently pays her counterpart funds so as to ensure that its citizenry are empowered, which he said Imo has done well in fighting poverty.
She commended the partnership between the State and the Federal government, which he said has been mutually rewarding. She admonished the recipient not to use the money for frivolities put to put it into productive use so as to change their standard of living.
In appreciation, the recipients of the Cash empowerment Letisha Dim, Venishus Okiri and Gideon Iwuchukwu thanked Governor Okorocha led government and its partners for remembering them. They pledge to be diligent in their different trades and work to ensure that the life line given to them multiplies to appreciable capital.