Cross River State Government has commenced the payment of N294, 450, 000 (two hundred and ninety four million, four hundred and fifty thousand Naira) for the Youth Employment and Social Support Operations (YESSO) stipends.

The payment target population of 9, 815 (Nine Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifteen) beneficiaries across the 18 Local Government Areas, to ease the challenge of the partial lockdown order in the State occasioned by the covid-19 pandemic.

YESSO programme, which is in partnership with the World Bank, offers community service engagement to vulnerable young people in Society. Stipends of N30, 000 were paid to further alleviate poverty and cater for their needs.

Commissioner for International Development Cooperation in Cross River State, Dr. Inyang Asibong, who flagged of the exercise in Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday, said the aim was to assist the vulnerable especially during this period to meet critical situation.

Asibong explained that the state government approved payment for beneficiaries who are engaged in community services such as sanitation, desilting of gutters, erosion control among others.

She expressed assurance that all the YESSO beneficiaries across the state will get their payment accordingly, adding that ATM cards have also been made available to them as the state adopts the global cashless policy and eTransact strategy for subsequent payments.

Aside the payment of Cash to the target audience,the Commissioner also donated face masks and hand sanitiers the people and educate them on the importance of using the materials at this critical times of Covid-19 global pandemic.

“Your payment is being done now with the directive of His Excellency,Sen. Prof Ben Ayade ,Our Governor, empathizes with you at this time of need and as part of the palliative measures put in place to address some of your financial challenges at this partial lockdown period in the state,” she said.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Youths and Skill Acquisition, Signor Omang Idiege, urged the beneficiaries to be steadfast in their YESSO commitments even as he charged them to give their commitment and dedication to spread the information as part of advocacy in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic.