The non-payment of the N252 million counterpart fund by Delta Government is denying many communities the benefits of programmes initiated by the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP).

Mr Dominic Agada, NAPEP Secretary in the state, told newsmen in Asaba that the outstanding contribution by the state had accrued since 2008.

He said the Federal Government had long contributed its share of 50 per cent for the period, expressing regrets that the funds could only be accessed when Delta paid up.

Agada said the state government had refused to pay its contribution in spite of several letters to it on the issue, adding that efforts by NAPEP officials to meet with Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan failed.

He also said the state’s delay in releasing the fund was hampering the progress of NAPEP’s two major community projects in the state.

The two projects, he said, were the Village Solutions Programme and Care of the People Programme for which the federal government had released N72 million.

He appealed to the state government to pay its contribution to the scheme, adding that other states in the Niger Delta had been benefitting from NAPEP’s projects.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Ovuozourie Macaulay, whose office handles such initiatives was not available for comments on the issue.

An official in his office, however, confirmed that no payment had been made by the state to the scheme.

The official, who pleaded anonymity, said memos were already being written on the various outstanding counterpart funds owed by the state.

“ The problem affects all federal government programmes which involve counterpart contribution,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, no fewer than 100 women in Delta State have began free eye surgery for various optical ailments.

The bill for the treatment, according sources would be paid by Master Care Foundation, an NGO founded by the wife of the state governor, Mrs Roli Uduaghan,

The surgery would be carried out on the women at the General Hospital, Ibusa, by a medical team assembled by the NGO.

The NGO, in a statement issued in Asaba, said women with other ailments would be given free treatment during the period.

It said that the free health progamme was being organised as part of activities to mark Uduaghan’s 50th birthday anniversary, adding that the exercise would run till Friday.

The 100 women, it said, were selected from the 25 local government areas of the state, adding that drugs and glasses would also be given to them free.

Women with eye challenges, it said, were to avail themselves of the opportunity.