The Abia state Focal person for Social Investment Programme, Chinenye Nwaogu has said that all Social Investment Programmes in the state, are free of charge.

Nwaogu who is also a Special Adviser to the Governor on Social Investment and Intergovernmental Affairs made this known following various complaints of extortion by beneficiaries.

A statement released on Thursday, June 10, signed by him read;

This is to inform the general public, especially Abians that all the programmes of the Abia State Social Investment Programme Office, including the Survival Fund Programme empowerment activities and all MSME related programmes of the Office under the supervision of Chinenye Nwaogu comes at zero cost to the beneficiaries.

 

Any attempt by anybody or group of persons to extort money under any guise is criminal and an act of wickedness. Most of these programmes are targeted at the poor and vulnerable members of the society, hence the position of the office to ensure that Abians benefit at zero cost.

 

Under the instruction of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu who has personally ensured that these programmes are attracted, expanded and implemented to the benefit of the state, our programmes are not to cost beneficiaries any participation fees.

 

The Governor frowns at any attempt to exploit any opportunity to tax Abians unduly and he has zero tolerance for such attempts.

 

The  Abia SIP Office has enough resources to administer these programmes for the benefit of Abians.

 

Abia State Social Investment Programmes – N Power, School Feeding, Cash Transfer and GEEP has since inception be adjudged one of the best in the Country winning credibility awards.

 

All potential beneficiaries should ignore any attempt to manipulate them into parting with any fees as precondition to benefiting from these initiatives. Any such attempt should be brought to our notice and appropriate actions will be taken.