3,300 Vulnerable Citizens Benefit From OYCARES Programme

About 3,300 aged , widows and other vulnerable members of the public have so far benefited from the Oyo State Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (OYCARES) programme.

The state’s commissioner for women affairs and social inclusion, Mrs. Toyin Balogun stated this at the symbolic presentation of debit cards to the 3rd batch of beneficiaries of the Oyo State Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (OYCARES)

Dwelling on the third tranche of the Cash Transfer intervention held at the Ibadan North East Local Government, Secretariat, Iwo Road Ibadan, Balogun disclosed that , 3,300 vulnerable citizens of the state from the 33 LGAs ,who were aged, chronically ill, physically challenged, widows, and urban poor benefited from this 3rd tranche of an intervention co-sponsored by the World Bank, the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government to make life better for the vulnerable and poorest of the poor in our midst.

The commissioner explained that in line with the tenets of equity, justice and fairness which were the hallmarks of the Makinde-led government, beneficiaries were mined from the social register of the State Operation Coordinating Unit! (SOCU) which are drawn from the 33 Local Government Areas of the state without political affiliation, religious consideration or any other special interest playing any role in the emergence of the beneficiaries.

She expressed her appreciation for the commitment demonstrated by the governor to improve the quality of lives lived by the poorest of the poor , adding that it was facilitated by ensuring that against all odds and challenges, he prioritizes this programme.

According to her, the government makes provision for funds required for the intervention upfront and only receives reimbursement back from the World Bank after the intervention must have been consummated.

She stressed that empirical facts affirmed that 3,510 citizens have benefited from the first and second tranches of the programme which had impacted positively on the lives of the beneficiaries.

Balogun encouraged all beneficiaries to ensure that they start a micro business enterprise from the stipend which could be related into a thriving medium to large scale business subsequently with the right commitment and support.

In his address, the head, Social Transfer Delivery Platform, Mr. Akintunde Gbadamosi stated that the bi-monthly payment of N20,000 to 3,300 beneficiaries enrolled for the third batch of the Social Transfer Component of OYCARES across the 33 LGAs in the state through the distribution of the programme Identity Cards and Debit Cards was a seamless process.