The federal government says it has begun disbursing N70 million to 3,500 rural women and urban poor in Bauchi.

Abubakar Hashim, a technical assistant to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouk, disclosed on Wednesday in Bauchi.

According to him, each beneficiary will receive N20,000.

On March 12, President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime launched the ‘special cash grant’ to empower 100 million rural women as part of its social inclusion and poverty reduction agenda.

The programme’s objectives include improving environmental sanitation and management, encouraging household financial and asset acquisition, and engaging beneficiaries to attain sustainable livelihood.

Others are to improve household consumption, increase utilisation of health and nutrition services and improve school enrolment and attendance.

Mr Hashim added, “The cash grant for rural women and urban poor was in line with Mr President’s policy of uplifting the lives of 100 million people in 10 years. The minister came up with this programme, and this is the first of its kind in Nigeria.

“One hundred and sixty women from each of the 20 local government areas in the state will be given N20, 000 and the total amount for the state is N70 million. The selection was from the National Social Register and the Disabled Persons Commission Unit of the ministry. People living with disability were given 150 slots across the country.”

The minister’s assistant further noted that Bauchi and Katgun local government areas would serve as the disbursement centres for the beneficiaries.

According to Mr Hashim, the disbursement began on May 26.