Jigawa Begins Fifth Phase of Maternal, Childcare Cash Transfer Programme Across 27 LGAs

From Dauda Mohammed Hadeja

The Jigawa State Government has commenced the enrollment of beneficiaries for the fifth batch of the Jigawa Maternal and Childcare Cash Transfer Programme (JMCCTP), a social protection initiative designed to improve maternal and child health outcomes among vulnerable households across the state.

The enrollment exercise, which is taking place in all the 27 Local Government Areas of the state, targets pregnant women and lactating mothers. The programme provides financial support to beneficiaries to encourage regular attendance at antenatal clinics and ensure safe delivery in healthcare facilities.

Speaking during a meeting with supervisors at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Dutse New Secretariat Complex, the Executive Secretary of the Jigawa State Rehabilitation Board, Alhaji Sale Zakar, commended Governor Malam Umar Namadi for sustaining funding for the programme and other social intervention schemes aimed at improving the welfare of vulnerable residents.

According to him, each ward is expected to enroll 30 beneficiaries, resulting in between 300 and 330 beneficiaries in each Local Government Area. He explained that every beneficiary receives a monthly stipend of ₦5,000 as an incentive to access maternal healthcare services, thereby contributing to efforts to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in the state.

Alhaji Sale Zakar said the selection process was carried out through the State Operations Coordinating Unit (SOCU) register to ensure transparency and guarantee that only qualified pregnant women and lactating mothers benefit from the intervention. He noted that the programme forms part of the state’s broader commitment to strengthening social protection and improving healthcare delivery.

The Executive Secretary warned beneficiaries against paying money to any individual for enrollment into the programme, stressing that participation is free of charge. He urged beneficiaries to promptly report anyone demanding money or any form of gratification in exchange for access to the scheme.

He also tasked supervisors deployed to the various local government areas with ensuring strict compliance with enrollment guidelines, proper verification of beneficiaries and accurate documentation to prevent errors that could affect the integrity of the programme.

Furthermore, Alhaji Sale directed supervisors to adequately sensitise beneficiaries on the programme’s toll-free complaint channels, enabling them to report grievances, seek clarification and obtain support whenever necessary.

The supervisors have since been deployed to the 27 local government areas to oversee the exercise and ensure its smooth implementation. The state government expressed confidence that the programme would continue to enhance access to quality maternal healthcare services and contribute to better health outcomes for women and children across Jigawa State.