The National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) has begun preparations for a beneficiary identification and validation exercise in Zamfara State under its Grant for Vulnerable Groups (GVG) programme, which plans to provide ₦10,000 starter packs to some vulnerable individuals in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.

The exercise is designed to establish a transparent, credible and community-driven process for identifying eligible recipients ahead of the programme’s planned launch in selected communities and IDP camps across the state.

As part of the preparations, the National Programme Manager of GVG, Hajia Aisha Alubankudi, led an NSIPA delegation on courtesy visits to the Chief of Staff to the Zamfara State Governor, Hon. Muktar Lugga, and the Secretary to the State Government, Malam Abubakar Nakwada, at the Government House in Gusau.

During the meetings, Alubankudi conveyed greetings from NSIPA National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer, Associate Professor Badamasi Lawal, and praised the Zamfara State Government for supporting the agency’s programmes.

She explained that Zamfara was among the pilot states selected for the identification and validation exercise, which is intended to ensure that assistance goes to people who meet the programme’s vulnerability criteria.

“The GVG, a flagship programme of NSIPA, is now becoming a household name. This exercise is to ensure that only the truly vulnerable are captured,” Alubankudi said.

She disclosed that similar exercises were planned for other states, including Katsina, Osun, Kogi, Cross River and Borno.

Under the planned intervention, the programme will distribute starter packs valued at ₦10,000 each to some vulnerable individuals living in IDP camps in Zamfara. Alubankudi said the support was intended to alleviate hardship and promote financial inclusion among identified beneficiaries.

However, NSIPA has not announced a public application portal, registration deadline or direct application procedure for the intervention. Residents seeking information have been advised to rely on verified announcements from the agency and relevant state authorities regarding the identification exercise and beneficiary selection.

Lugga and Nakwada welcomed the visiting officials and pledged the state government’s cooperation with the exercise. They described the initiative as being in line with Zamfara’s social protection priorities.

Other members of the delegation included the Director of Finance and Accounts, Umar Mkailu; Deputy Director and Head of Press and Public Relations, Attari M. Hope; and Assistant Director of the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, Muhammed Zakari, alongside other agency officials.

The delegation was also scheduled to meet Zamfara State Governor, Dr Dauda Lawal, ahead of the planned commencement of the identification and validation exercise in selected communities and IDP camps.

The initiative forms part of NSIPA’s broader social investment efforts to identify eligible vulnerable people and deliver targeted assistance to individuals experiencing economic hardship.

SOURCE: MSME Africa Online