Sam Philip
Dr. Abdulkarim Obaje, the National Coordinator, NG-CARES Programme, on Thursday disclosed that over 9 million vulnerable Nigerians have benefited directly from the programme.
He gave hint during the Federal Cares Support Unit (FCSU), Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) Programme, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Peer Learning and Experience Sharing Event, held in Akure at the International Centre for Culture and Events (The Dome).
Dr. Obaje also disclosed that an additional $500 million is proposed for the second phase of the programme, NG-CARES 2.0 which would start soonest.
He said; “This is to ensure sustainability of the programme result, which demands continued support from stakeholders. States are putting a lot of their own resources in the programme.
“NG-CARES is evolving into a dynamic shock response system with over 160 supporting agencies and over 3000 staff well trained across the 36 states and FCT.
“Sustainability of NG-CARES Programme structure in the states and FCT can be enhanced through continuous funding having demonstrated capacity to be part of the state government shock response mechanism in the country.
“States have flexibility to add-on other DLIs depending on peculiarity of each state. Continuous advocacy, sensitization and technical support to the state government officials will encourage fund release for implementation and improved service delivery.”
Dr. Obaje said Nigeria government has put in place structures to respond to shocks using both local and international human and institutional resources.
Dr. Lire Ersado, the Leader, Task Team NG-CARES World Bank Programme, who spoke through Prof. Foluso Okunmadewa, said the first phase of the programme cost $750million and it has changed the consumption pattern for a lot of household in the country.
He said; “this NG-CARES Programme has helped a lot of farmers to increase their production, it has helped a lot of businesses that were affected to recover their businesses. So those have been the impacts on the people in Nigeria.
“For the second phase, the World Bank is going to give $500million but the states collectively are going to put almost the same amount of resources to compliment this and the states are using very objective measures to identify the beneficiaries.
“Besides, it has been very difficult for the politicians to hijack the programme. We have learnt so many things to avoid any linkages or wastage of the programme in the country.”
The Ondo State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan, in his keynote address called on the Federal Government and the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) to synergize on how to further deepen the collaboration with the World Bank for the sustainability of the NG-CARES in the country.
Igbasan, who spoke through the State Cares Coordination Unit Head, Mr. Bamidele Daisi said the Ondo State Government has been able to invest massively on its people in the 18 local government areas through the OD-CARES programme.
“I would therefore like to implore us to reminisce and share our experiences in the last couple of years so that we all can be better informed and well-positioned to make the necessary sacrifices in our collective efforts to scale-up the NG-CARES programme for the overall development of every Nigeria citizens,” he said.
While Mrs. Elizabeth Egharevba, the Chairman, Federal Cares Technical Committee, said over the past three years, the programme team has been working tirelessly alongside communities, government agencies, and other key stakeholders to alleviate the burdens of the poor and vulnerable in Nigeria.