SPW: 2800 beneficiaries yet to receive stipends in Zamfara

No fewer than 2800 beneficiaries of the federal government’s Special Public Works programme in Zamfara State are yet to receive their stipends one year after flag off, Daily Trust has learnt.

The affected beneficiaries are from Bungudu, Shinkafi and Talata Mafara local government areas.

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The unpaid participants drawn from the affected local government areas had cried out for help over their situation.

The group, led by Kabiru Abubakar, said their colleagues have been paid, adding that; “we did all we can to see that our payment was effected but up till now nothing was done.”

Abubakar stressed that; “we have made several attempts to check our payment with desk officer at FCMB, but were told to be patient. Later we realized that our names were being replaced.”

The State Coordinator, National Directorate for Employment (NDE), Zamfara State Office, Abdullahi Yakubu, has confirmed the non-payment of 2800 beneficiaries of the federal government’s programme.

He said that the 2800 participants that are yet to be paid are from Talata Mafara, Shinkafi, Bungudu Kaura Namoda local government areas.

He added that out of the 4000 participants to be paid by First City Monument Bank (FCMB) only 1200 had so far been paid, while the remaining 2800 were still awaiting payment.

“Although the other banks such as Access Bank, Fidelity Bank and Heritage Bank have minimal challenges as all of them achieved between 90 and 95 per cent payment of their clients.

“We are still battling with the bank to clear more participants that would be forwarded to NDE headquarter for the release of the payments.

“The issue has to do with BVN and in some cases phone numbers,” he said.

He, however, debunked the allegations that names were being replaced, adding that once the name of a beneficiary is captured in the portal it won’t be replaced.