The Kaduna State Government on Monday warned beneficiaries of the Subsidy Re-investment Programme (SURE-P) that it would not pay any of them that failed to work.
Alhaji Shehu Ahmed, the Chairman of the SURE-P Implementation Committee, gave the warning in Kaduna during a one-day sensitisation workshop for 3,000 beneficiaries of the programme.
Ahmed said the workshop was taking place simultaneously in all the 23 local government areas of the state, to ensure adequate sensitisation of the beneficiaries on the principles of the programme.
According to him, the beneficiaries will form groups of two in each ward, with a supervisor, to undertake community service activities, particularly in the area of environmental sanitation.
He charged the beneficiaries to contribute to reducing health and environmental hazards and youth restiveness.
The coordinator advised them to enhance peaceful coexistence, boost their economy and increase the state GDP through enterprises’ creation.
The chairman informed them that each would receive N10,000 monthly over the next one year, but warned that the policy of “no-work-no-pay” would be applied strictly.
Ahmed reiterated the commitment of the state government in ensuring judicious use of the funds.
“The funds were to focus on improvement in health and transportation sector, including railways/road maintence, community services.
“All these are safety nets designed to bring some succour, particularly among youths, women and vulnerable groups as a result of the employment to be generated,’’ he said.
The Chairman, Kaduna South Local Government Council, Alhaji Bala Idris, advised the beneficiaries to cooperate with government officials and use the opportunity to empower themselves.
Idris also advised the beneficiaries, who might be reluctant to engage in environmental cleaning services, to disengage immediately from the programme.
Malam Usman Ishaq, a beneficiary, said the programme would provide him with income to finance his education.
Another beneficiary, Mr Nuhu Aliyu said the work, which is usually in the morning, would enable him make savings to start a business.