Residents of Ero Community in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State have raised a serious alarm over alleged irregularities and a lack of transparency in the Federal Government's conditional cash transfer programme, known as Renewed Hope.
The community members claim that the process of selecting beneficiaries was deeply flawed, resulting in a final list that included names of deceased individuals while excluding many living residents who had duly registered for the scheme.
Community Outcry During Act Naija! Outreach
The concerns were brought to the forefront during a one-day outreach of the Act Naija! Project – Civil Society Action to Strengthen Social Protection in Nigeria. This initiative is implemented by a consortium of three NGOs: the New Initiative for Social Development (NISD), Bread for the World, and the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), and is co-funded by the European Union.
This three-year project aims to promote transparency, inclusion, and accountability in the delivery of social protection services across selected states in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, community leaders including Chief Imam Lekan Akinlolu and Alhaji Lateef Ogunlala decried the opaque methods used by government agencies. They highlighted the poor level of civic education provided to residents about such programmes.
"When officials came earlier this year to collate names, we were shocked that the final list predominantly included deceased individuals, while the living who registered were left out," Ogunlala stated emphatically.
Calls for Accountability and Official Response
The residents unanimously called for greater accountability, transparency, and unbiased procedures from all Ministries and Agencies managing social protection programmes in the state. Their primary demand is to ensure that all eligible and vulnerable households actually benefit from the initiatives designed to support them.
During the outreach, some beneficiaries who have successfully accessed federal and state social protection programmes shared their experiences. They underscored the critical importance of community engagement and active participation in making these schemes effective.
In response to the allegations, Bankole Olaoluwa, the State Coordinator of the State Operation Coordinating Unit (SOCU), represented by Oladoyinbo Edward, assured residents that efforts are ongoing to expand the state's social register. This expansion aims to accommodate more eligible households.
Edward urged residents to participate actively in community engagements, stressing that "the programme is non-political and intended strictly for vulnerable households." He firmly stated, "Social protection is every citizen’s right, and we will do everything to ensure everyone gets what they deserve."
Stakeholders Reaffirm Commitment
Mr. Joshua Olawole of the National Cash Transfer Office outlined various government safety-net programmes. He highlighted the essential role of the social register in accurately identifying vulnerable individuals, including the elderly and persons with disabilities.
Mrs. Patrick Adedoyin of NISD reaffirmed the consortium's commitment to supporting rural and semi-urban communities in Ondo State through multi-sectoral approaches.
Adding her voice to the discourse, Her Royal Regent Aderonke Gbadesogun, the Regent of Ero Community, pledged the full support of the traditional institution to ensure the success and proper implementation of the programme for her people.
