Stakeholders seek extension of FG’s NG-CARES programme

Stakeholders have commended the Federal Government for its NGCARES programme, aimed at improving the livelihood of poor Nigerians, calling for its extension, in order to accommodate more beneficiaries.

Several stakeholders, including implementing agencies drawn from seven states, gave the commendation in Ibadan at a maiden Ministerial Town Hall meeting organised by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning for beneficiaries from Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, Ekiti, Lagos and Kwara States. They took turns to make presentations on how the programme had empowered them economically and improved their socioeconomic wellbeing.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Beatrice Ogunsuyi, a widow from Ondo State, who benefited from the healthcare provision under the initiative, said it was the needed intervention appropriate for her situation.

Similarly, Mrs. Rachel Onapasa from Obokun Local Government Area of Osun, who lost her source of livelihood as a poultry farmer during the COVID-19 pandemic, said she regained her stability with the intervention of the Federal Government.

“I was provided with a carton of broiler with feed, which helped to regain my livelihood,” Onapasa said.

For a physically challenged beneficiary from Oyo State, Mrs. Subaidan Rasak, she received government support, in spite of her condition, which had confined her to be indoor.

Rasak said the monthly social transfer received from the government had improved her living conditions and helped in taking care of her family.

Speaking on behalf of Moferere-Iju community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, Chief Dipe Adegboye, said the dilapidated science laboratory and Basic Health Care Centre in the community had been reconstructed and equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.

“All these were achieved through the NG-CARES community development programme, making students, who could not take subjects in sciences, are now doing well,” Adegboye said.

Other beneficiaries, who were unemployed, artisans, cattle breeders and petty traders, also attested to the positive impact of the NG-CARES in their various businesses.

On his part, the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his vision to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty within a period of 10 years.

Agba, who was represented by Mr. Aso Vakporaye, Chairman, Federal CARES Technical Committee of the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Programme, commended the partners for making the initiative a success.

Speaking in his capacity, Vakporaye said the hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic made the Federal Government develop the Economic Sustainability Plan.

This, he added, inspired the preparation and eventual implementation of the NGCARES Programme in the 36 States and FCT.

“We are proud to say that the Programme has recorded tangible results and has positively affected so many poor and vulnerable Nigerians affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and other shocks across the country,” Vakporaye said.

The World Bank representative and Task Team-lead, Prof. Foluso Okumadewa, commended the commitment and courage put into the initiative by various states and executors in various programmes which had yielded positive results.

Okumadewa announced that the World Bank had extended the programme for 12 months, calling for registration of more Nigerians below the poverty line as well as extending support to the poor in every area needed.

The National Coordinator,

NG-CARES, Dr Abdulkarim Obaje, said the programme was a multi-sectoral programme designed to provide immediate emergency relief to the vulnerable and poor Nigerians, smallholder farmers and SMEs that were adversely affected by the COVID-19.

Obaje said the programme covered three results areas with 11 Disbursement Linked Indicators interventions which were selected by the states.

“On the state and FCT Performance in 1ˢ ˢ Result Verification; 29 states and FCT earned reimbursement after deducting the initial advance, while seven states earned no reimbursement after deducting the initial advance,” he said. NAN