Bayelsa regrets delay in disbursement of social investment programme

Nathan Tamarapreye

The Bayelsa State Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Unit implementing the Social Investment Programme of the Federal Government has reassured beneficiaries that it will soon start disbursement to them after initial setbacks.

A statement signed by the Unit Head of the Bayelsa State Cash Transfer Unit Mrs Tonbara Kenigbolo said the funds released by the Federal Government for the scheme was safe.

Kenigbolo, who dismissed media reports that the contractor absconded with the funds, attributed the delay to payment to beneficiaries to logistic challenges faced by the initial contractor which led to termination of the contract.       

Kenigbolo said that it was erroneous to say that Data Mining Firm absconded with funds meant for the most vulnerable and poor in Bayelsa and three other states as claimed, adding that the funds were being warehoused during the delay.                                

She explained that under the governance structure put in place by the Social Investment Programme, it was not possible to divert the funds due to inbuilt measures.

According to her, the contractor failed to deliver on its mandate due to setback in logistics, but the funds were intact.                                     

The statement further noted that as part of efforts to address the delay in payment, the Bayelsa office of the CCT wrote a protest letter to the National Social Investment Programme Office, which led to the termination of the contract of Data Mining.

Subsequently the contract was then re-awarded to a new firm, Softcom.                       

She assured that the new contractor has received funds for the outstanding payments, which she said will commence on September 28 with shortlisted households getting, at least, N50,000 as arrears cutting across 96 communities in Ekeremor, Southern Ijaw and Nembe Local government areas.