Delta government pays N27m stipends to 5, 555 widows

The Delta State government yesterday paid over N27million to selected 5, 555 widows in the state.

The Commissioner of Health, Dr. Nicholas Azinge, represented Governor Ifeanyi Okowa at the disbursements in Asaba.

He said the gesture was a fulfillment of his campaign promise of empowering the people

Beneficiaries of the programme, a minimum of 20 each from 270 wards, were drawn from the 25 local council areas in the state.

They are also expected to freely participate in the state government’s Contributory Health Care Health Scheme.

The governor told the women to access the free health scheme at the nearest health centres and hospitals, and urged them to report anybody who charges them money for treatment.

“The welfare scheme which is designed for widows in the state is meant to pay them a monthly stipend of 5,000 naira. The state government would also pay their monthly premiums in the contributory healthcare scheme,” he said.

The Senior Political Adviser to the Governor, Festus Ochonogor, told the women that the stipends, which would begin in January, is to take care of their daily needs.

He disclosed that liaison officers have been appointed to ensure that they receive the money from their wards.

A former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Peter Onwusanya, and the Director General of the Contributory health scheme, Dr. Ben Nkechika, also lauded the programme.