Niger State Government says it is fully committed to the ideals of the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) Programme.
The Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago stated this during the Zonal Peer Learning and experience sharing event, organized by NG-CARES, to deliberate on best ways to address challenges faced, held at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, Minna.
Represented by his Deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, the Governor reveals that, the State Government has re-invested the earnings from the last Independent Verification Agents (IVA) on social security in the current cycle, adding that the NG-CARES Project is in line with the New Niger Agenda of the present administration in the State.
He says, as leaders and stakeholders, it is imperative to learn from experiences, share knowledge, and formulate resilient strategies that will address the immediate needs of the people with a view to laying a foundation for a robust economic recovery.
The Governor urges the organizer to ensure an action-oriented framework that promotes resilience and sustainability as well as identify more areas of interventions are achieved.
The National Coordinator, NG-CARES, Dr. Abdulkarim Obaje reveals that $750m was allocated for the NG-CARES Programme between 2021 and 2024 across the Country with $645m expended so far under the programme for result which includes, social safety net, livelihood grants, and basic services support.
He says, the NG-CARES programme which is aimed at improving the lives of the poor and vulnerable, has been adjudged to be one of the best World Bank assisted programmes in the Country with over 9 million Nigerians benefitting directly.
Dr. Obaje commended the efforts of the Niger State government as the State comes top in terms of earnings in North Central while also disclosing that approval has been given for the programme to be extended to up scale the number of beneficiaries.
The Chairman, Federal CARES Technical Committee, Mrs. Elizabeth Egharevba in her message delivered by the National Coordinator of NG-CARES says the programme has over the years been helpful in reaching out to the vulnerable people and that the coming together of stakeholders to deliberate on ways to addressing challenges in the scheme will help in achieving the desired results.
In their separate remarks, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hajiya Binta Mamman, her counterparts in the Ministry of Finance, Alh. Lawal Maikano and that of Lands, Barr. Maurice Magaji, commended NG-CARES for their support to beneficiaries, particularly women, who are among the most vulnerable people in the society.
The event also featured the presentation of symbolic Cheques to some beneficiaries under the livelihood support, Result Area One project.
Eight States comprising Niger, Benue, Gombe, Kaduna, Kogi, Plateau, Rivers and the FCT Abuja are participating in the two -day event.
