The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has demanded rigorous transparency from the Federal Government regarding its assertion that 2.3 million households have benefited from the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Programme.
Citing the claim as questionable, HURIWA, in a statement by its National Coordinator, called for the immediate public release of detailed beneficiary data and the program’s distribution framework.
This demand follows the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Director General’s announcement of revalidating 2.3 million individuals for the National Social Safety Nets project, with disbursements imminent.
While acknowledging the need for accurate verification, HURIWA remains unconvinced, pointing to a lack of accessible public data. The group highlighted an independent poll suggesting no beneficiaries were known among 50,000 Nigerians surveyed.
HURIWA accused the government of potential political motivation behind the program, labeling the funds “audio cash” that doesn’t reach vulnerable populations.
Referencing grim poverty statistics from the World Bank and IMF, HURIWA questioned the program’s effectiveness amidst escalating poverty.
The organization urged for a detailed breakdown of the CCT initiative, including selection criteria and disbursement processes, and advocated for independent audits to ensure accountability and genuine poverty alleviation.
