Benue State’s Finance Commissioner, Mr. Michael Oglegba, revealed that the Alia Cares Scheme has distributed ₦150,000 grants to over 4,000 small business owners to help grow their operations. Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Makurdi, Oglegba emphasized that larger businesses, including salons, have received ₦500,000 grants each for expansion.
The scheme, which is funded by the state government in collaboration with the World Bank, aims to stimulate the local economy. Oglegba highlighted that the initiative is not limited to small businesses, noting that farmers have also benefited through various support programs. Under the Fadama scheme, farmers receive inputs such as fertilizers, piglets for piggery, day-old chicks for poultry farming, and cassava stems. Cassava processors have been given hundreds of processing machines as part of the support.
“All these projects are funded through the contributions of the state government and support from the World Bank, and the scheme has been successful so far,” Oglegba explained.
The scheme also offers direct cash transfers to the most vulnerable members of society. According to Oglegba, elderly beneficiaries receive ₦10,000 monthly, with payments made in batches to ensure that the program reaches as many needy individuals as possible. This initiative runs for 9 to 12 months, after which a new group of beneficiaries is selected.
Additionally, an intervention program supports unemployed but able individuals with a stipend in exchange for completing tasks such as menial jobs across the state. This group of beneficiaries is selected from the state’s social register.
Another key feature of the Alia Cares program is community support. Communities in need of development, such as in the areas of education, healthcare, and water, can propose projects to the government. The community selects its contractors and team, and the government provides the necessary funds to complete the project. Since January, 54 such community projects have been successfully completed.
The program, which continues to receive requests and support, is seen as a significant step towards enhancing the state’s economy and improving the livelihoods of its citizens.
