Beneficiaries of Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) in the Tasilima Electoral area of the Bole District were denied payments of their stipends over expired e-zwich biometric smart cards.
The Assembly Member for the area Hon. David Bii Jimah confirmed this to Yagbon Radio “Tea cup” morning show host Abdul Fatawu.
According to him, beneficiaries from his electoral area were called upon for their payments only to be disappointed by the officer in charge of the program as he said their e-zwich cards were expired.
Hon.David Bii Jimah said the beneficiaries were not told when their payments will be given to them as the officer in charge left without any directives.
He said he will relay the information to the DCE and the MP as well for intervention.
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social protection decision to adopt electronic payment was to ensure transparency and convenience in the disbursement of the money.
By using the electronic payment options, the human element in the disbursement process was curtailed and also the system allowed for a more effective audit trail as details of disbursement, receipt of funds and withdrawal can be verified.
The biometric nature of the e-zwich card also means that only the beneficiary could access the money.
The LEAP programme, the flagship project of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is one of the key projects to better the life of people below the poverty line.
Yagbon Radio will follow this story to the latter to unravel the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate happenings within the program which is worsening the living conditions of its beneficiaries.
By Alhassan Abdul Razack
