By Saio Marrah
39,0000 (thirty-nine thousand) people in the Western Urban area are presently receiving the Covid- 19 Emergency Cash Transfer as part of measures by the EU, World Bank and the government of Sierra Leone to ease the economic challenges brought about by the outbreak of the pandemic.
The EU has provided 4.6 million Euros through the World Bank to the government of Sierra Leone. The National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) is overseeing distribution of the cash through the local banks. Each beneficiary is getting Le 1,309,000 as support.
NaSCA’s Communication officer, Umaru Damon Samai told Politico that the cash transfer started on Saturday 8th May, 2021 and will last for 14 days. He said petty traders, workers in the hospitality industry and people in some sectors whose jobs were affected by the pandemic are benefitting from this present relief package.
He said the process is targeting people in the poverty level bracket based on information Statistics Sierra Leone had provided them. Questionnaires were filled out by the beneficiaries which enabled them to identify those in dire need including petty traders with lesser capital. He said the payment is exclusively free and no one will be asked to pay any amount of money. He said for this to be effective, the Anti-Corruption Commission has provided toll line 515 to report any corrupt malpractice during the payment and after the process.
On the long queues at the Siaka Stevens Stadium where details are being given, Samai said beneficiaries have to be patient and that once they have received their voucher or message, they should go to any of the Rokel Commercial Bank branches and collect their money.
He stated that additional days may be added if necessary. According to Samai, due to the large amount of beneficiaries, there are few challenges and said they are doing their best to ensure the process is thorough.
Mohamed Sama a beneficiary said he will be using the money to pay part of his college tuition fees.
Another beneficiary who is a waitress at a hotel but who asked not to be named said she will use the money on her business.
A petty trader said even though the money will not be enough yet it will contribute to the growth of his business. He however admitted that the process was not properly organized as his name was for day one on his payment voucher but ended up on day two of payment.
In 2020 World Bank provided 4 million dollars as contingency funds that benefitted 29,000 (twenty nine thousand) people in the Western Area and those in the regional headquarters.
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