The Secretary to the Government of Niger State (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane has stated that the Nigeria CARES Project is an intervention programme aimed at mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the poor and vulnerable households.
The SSG disclosed this while launching the commencement of NIGER – CARES and distribution of cheques to benefitting communities and groups organized by the Niger State Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA) held at Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, Minna.
Ahmed Matane explained that the disbursement of funds to groups was a poverty reduction strategy as well as support to micro and small-scale enterprises as a means of stimulating the economic growth in a post-COVID-19 era thereby bringing people out of poverty.
He noted that due to the leadership and political will provided by Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, Niger State was ahead of many States in this endeavour and expressed optimism that implementation of the programme would improve the living standards of communities to get back on their feet.
The SSG urged the benefitting communities and groups to utilize the funds for the purpose it was meant for and not to allow any form of hijack by anybody.
Earlier in his remarks, the Honourable Commissioner, Niger State Planning Commission, Alhaji Zakari Abubakar encouraged the people of the State to take advantage of the opportunities provided by NIGER-CARES to enhance their means of livelihood and reduce the spate of poverty in their communities.
The General Manager, Niger State Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA), Yusuf Ahmed Usman announced that the State Government has released the sum of N248, 854, 184 to the Agency for the provision of social basic infrastructures to communities and groups in all the 25 Local Governments Areas in the State.
Ahmed Usman said that Communities and groups that would benefit from the disbursement include the Aghumai Bari group, Paikoro LGA, Soje B, Chanchaga LGA, Talwood community, Wushishi, Chingini Enazan, Edati LGA and Association of the blind, Kontagora LGA.
Over N60 million naira was disbursed to the communities and groups to commence the implementation of the following chosen micro-projects, drilling of solar boreholes with an overhead tank, renovation of a health clinic, renovation of learning centre and provision of learning materials, the General Manager revealed.
Highlights of the occasion were goodwill messages from different stakeholders and cultural performance.
