The Bauchi State Coordinator of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Unit, Mr Jibrin Yusuf, has said that over N1.5 billion has been disbursed to 20,344 households in 600 communities across the state.

Yusuf disclosed this on Monday in Bauchi when he received the executives of the Bauchi chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ).

He said that plans have been concluded to include another 2,969 households from 180 communities into the scheme, adding that beneficiaries also enjoyed skill trainings.

“The CCT programme also train beneficiaries on techniques, saving groups and skills to improve their living.

“The programme has enrolled 20,344 beneficiaries from 600 communities in the 20 local Government Areas in the state from the start of the programme in 2016.

“Meanwhile preparations are on the way to increase the number of beneficiaries to 23,313 and the communities from 600 to 780,” he said.

Yusuf noted that over 80 per cent of the beneficiaries were women selected as care givers in their various households.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the poorest of the poor household was the criteria used in selecting beneficiaries in the various communities.

Speaking earlier,the Chairperson of NAWOJ, Mrs Bulak Afsa said that the visit was to collaborate with the CCT to further sensitize women on the need to be self reliant.

She said that the chapter would sensitise registered cooperatives and saving groups to enable them access Federal Government financial loans. (NAN)