Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has flagged off the fourth phase distribution of agricultural and infrastructural assets initiative of the Nigerian COVID-19 Action Recovery Stimulus programme, designed for over 600,000 beneficiaries in different categories across the 16 local government councils.
Represented at the ceremony by his deputy, Kayode Alabi, AbdurRazaq continued, “The Kwara is today taking another giant step forward towards supporting farmers and vulnerable agro-entrepreneurs with high-valued assets such as fishing and passenger boats, hand tillers, and grinding machines.”.
“Today’s ceremony testifies, therefore, to the commitment of the State Government towards the full implementation of NG-CARES, interventions aimed at bettering the welfare of so many.”
According to a government office release, Abdulrazaq has so far enrolled no fewer than two million citizens across Kwara State onto some of the programmes and interventions under NG-CARES, such as FADAMA, Social Cash Transfer, Labour Intensive Public Workforce, and Social Development Agency.
“The State’s steering committee on CARES was inaugurated on 14th December 2021. NG-CARES, being the first attempt at the use of the Programme for Result approach in delivering goods and services to the most vulnerable in the state, has been quite successful—as one could see it impacting lives from when it took off.”.
“This is made possible through continued and sustained State Government support, in an effort to ensure that impoverished or vulnerable persons and businesses ravaged by the dire economic times are supported by various initiatives.”.
“Our gathering this afternoon is another phase in our continuous efforts to bring ease to the people through multifaceted interventions. Our administration is on record to have, at every stage of our journey so far, deployed all available resources in making life easy for the people,” said the Governor.
However, Abdulrazaq charged the beneficiaries of these high-valued assets and equipment to see the asset as their own and maximize its benefits.
According to the Commissioner for Finance and Chairman, State Steering Committee for NG-CARES programme, Hauwa Nuhu, this intervention was a beehive of hope, which the World Bank had orchestrated to further cushion pandemic pressures and enhance Governor Abdulrazaq’s efforts at making life bearable for all citizens.
“That the objectives of NG-CARES programmes for results are very clear and impactful, this intervention would expand access to livelihood support and ensure food security, and amongst other benefits, commendation is therefore extended to the World Bank and the Governor for taking this initiative.”
In his remarks, Olatunde appreciated the government for taking up the bull by the horn to key into the programme he described as laudable and of immense benefit to the people of the state.
“NG-Care has been delivering goods and services to vulnerable members of our society. And it’s always been so. This time around, I must sincerely commend the Governor for undertaking it in a new dimension. This can be seen by all of us in the form of some valuable items and equipment here, which mark their way to different communities. This is highly commendable,” he said.
Magaji Abdul, apparently insisting that he was speaking for FADAMA beneficiaries, expressed optimism that the items would help farmers a lot as they go about their farming activities and thanked the Governor for showing enthusiasm towards their well-being.