The Federal Government has announced plans to commence the disbursement of N50000 monthly to vulnerable households in the country.
The plan under the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) is a Presidential initiative to provide immediate financial relief to the most vulnerable Nigerians.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction Dr. Bernard Doro in a statement explained that the initiative was in response to global food inflation and the high cost of essential goods which has placed pressure on households across the country.
He stated: ‘In response NERSI introduces a shock-responsive cash transfer programme that will provide basic relief to millions of vulnerable households and help them stabilise in the short term.
‘Under this intervention eligible beneficiaries will receive N50000 monthly providing direct assistance to help meet essential needs and ease the burden of living costs.
‘The initiative will be reviewed regularly in light of changes in the cost of living and beneficiaries will be notified directly before any change’.
On how the money would be disbursed the Minister stated: ‘To ensure funds are delivered securely quickly and transparently the Ministry is working with licensed digital financial service providers.
‘Beneficiaries will receive an SMS from one of these providers asking for their consent. This message is genuine. Once consent is given payment is made directly to the beneficiary’s account/mobile wallet’.
The Minister while stating that NERSI complements the Federal Government’s existing social protection and economic support programmes added: ‘It reflects commitment to providing immediate relief while building household resilience and economic stability in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’.
Doro while noting that the ministry recognises the challenges many Nigerians are facing added that the Ministry was committed to delivering the intervention with dignity transparency and accountability.
On what targeted beneficiaries are expected to do he said: ‘Beneficiaries are not required to apply pay any fee or register through any agent to receive support. Never share your PIN or BVN with anyone. If you are unsure about any message or anyone asks you for money call the official NERSI helpline on 0700-022-2222
Further information and official programme updates are available on the Ministry’s website: www.fmhapr.gov.ng/nersi/