Kwara govt warns against illegal fee on P-BAT women empowerment programme

The Kwara State Government has warned against the collection of N1,500 for registration in the ongoing P-BAT empowerment programme in Baruten Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Opeyemi Oluwakemi Afolashade, issued the warning in a statement in Ilorin on Monday.

She declared that any unauthorised collection of fees by individuals from women in the course of the registration process is illegal and will not be tolerated but will face the full wrath of the law.

According to the commissioner: “This programme, aimed at providing support to vulnerable women across the 16 LGAs of Kwara State, is a key initiative designed to mitigate the effects of subsidy removal and empower our citizens.

“We wish to categorically state that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, in collaboration with the Kwara State Ministry of Women Affairs, mandated that this registration be conducted free of charge. No individual, organisation, institution or any bank has been authorised to collect any fees in connection with this programme.”

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The commissioner made it clear that since she assumed office, the ministry has not entered into any agreement or collaboration with any bank or any other financial institution concerning this empowerment programme.

She said the state government was closely monitoring the situation, and action would be taken against any individual or group found exploiting the citizens by demanding payment for a service that is meant to be free.

Mrs Opeyemi urged all women in Baruten LGA and across Kwara State to report any incidents of illegal fee collection to the Kwara State Ministry of Women Affairs or other relevant authorities, as the state government is committed to ensuring that this programme reaches all intended beneficiaries without any undue financial burden.

“We reiterate that the registration is free, and any attempt to charge or extort money from participants will be met with the full wrath of the law,” she said.