News: FG To Increase SURE-P Beneficiaries in States To 5,000 From 2014

SURE - P - THE Federal Government, yesterday, said it would increase the number of beneficiaries of the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme, SURE-P, in the 36 states of the federation from 3,000 to 5,000 from 2014.

Chairmen of SURE-P, in Edo State, Mr. Lucky Imasuen, announced this in Benin City, shortly after the meeting of 36 chairmen of SURE-P in the country. Imasuen, who disclosed that each of the 36 states currently engaged 3,000 beneficiaries under the programme, said the meeting was called to assess the progress made and proffer solutions to challenges.

He explained that the beneficiaries of the programme were now being trained to make them self-reliant at the end of the programme which he said, was expected to end after one year. He said beneficiaries received N10,000 per month for performing such tasks as traffic control, cleaning of roads and hospitals, among others, adding that the Federal Government spends about N1 billion monthly to pay salaries of beneficiaries.

While thanking President Goodluck Jonathan and the Minister of Labour and Productivity for their commitment to the programme, Imasuen said the programme helped in creating jobs for youths and women. He also called on states and local governments to spend their own share of SURE-P funds to impact on the lives of the people.

He said: "The 36 state coordinators including the FCT, met in Benin for a two-day meeting to assess the programme for this year, progress and challenges. In those two days, we examined the impact of the community services that are targeted at the youths.

"We assessed the programme and we thank Mr President for coming up with such a laudable programme, creating jobs for our young men and women including the physically challenged."

Source: Vanguard