The Governor of Kwara state, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has launched the distribution of the fourth phase of agricultural and infrastructural assets under the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme, targeting over 600,000 beneficiaries across different categories in the 16 local government areas.
The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Kayode Alabi said the programme attested to the commitment of the state government to full implementation of NG-CARES, saying it was geared towards improving the welfare of the people,” the Governor explained.
AbdulRazaq, in a statement issued Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Modupe Joel noted that the 2-legged programme also had at least 11 communities that benefited from the distributed hospital equipment support.
He said they included Alanamu, Atiku-Apata, Lade, Kajola, Kere, Patigi, Isanlu-isin, Araromi, Igbaja, Omoda and Baba Dudu communities.
AbdulRazaq stressed that no less than two million citizens across Kwara State have benefitted from the various programmes and interventions under the NG-CARES, including FADAMA, Social Cash Transfer, labour intensive public workforce, and social development agency.
He said: “The State Government is today taking another giant step forward towards supporting farmers and vulnerable agro-entrepreneurs with high-value assets such as fishing and passenger boats, hand tillers, grinding machines, and so on.
“This is in addition to the donation of various categories of hospital equipment to support vulnerable communities in health delivery and add to the stock of beneficiaries already recorded.
“The State CARES Steering Committee was inaugurated on the 14th of December 2021. NG-CARES, being the first attempt to use the Programme for Result (P for R) approach to deliver goods and services to the most vulnerable in the State, has been very successful as it is making an impact in the lives of the citizens since its take-off.”
“This is made possible by the continuous and constant support of the State Government to ensure that poor and vulnerable individuals and businesses affected by economic crisis are supported through different initiatives.”
“Our gathering this afternoon is another phase in our continuous efforts to bring ease to the people through multifaceted interventions. At every stage of our journey so far, our administration has a record of deploying all available resources to make life easy for the people,” the Governor added.
AbdulRazaq, however, urged the beneficiaries to consider these assets as their own and optimise the benefits.
On his part, Chairman, State Steering Committee for NG-CARES programme, Dr. Hauwa Nuru described the intervention as a beacon of hope that was designed and supported by the World Bank to cushion the effects of COVID-19 pandemic, saying it complements the efforts of Governor AbdulRazaq in making life bearable for all the citizens.
According to him, The objectives of NG-CARES programmes for results are clear and very impactful. This intervention would expand access to livelihood support and ensure food security and among other benefits.