*Says It Has Reinvested Earnings from IVA By Awwal Umar Kontagora The Niger State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the ideals o...
*Says It Has Reinvested Earnings from IVA
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
The Niger State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the ideals of the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) Programme.
The State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, stated this during the Zonal Peer Learning and Experience Sharing event organized by NG-CARES to discuss strategies for addressing challenges. The event was held at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre in Minna.
Represented by his Deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, the Governor revealed that the state government has reinvested the earnings from the last Independent Verification Agents (IVA) on social security in the current cycle. He added that the NG-CARES Project aligns with the New Niger Agenda of the present administration.
He emphasized the importance of learning from experiences, sharing knowledge, and formulating resilient strategies that address the immediate needs of the people, with the goal of laying the foundation for robust economic recovery.
The Governor urged the organizers to ensure an action-oriented framework that promotes resilience and sustainability, while also identifying additional areas for intervention.
The National Coordinator of NG-CARES, Dr. Abdulkarim Obaje, revealed that $750 million was allocated for the NG-CARES Programme between 2021 and 2024 across the country, with $645 million already expended. The funds were used for social safety nets, livelihood grants, and basic services support.
He stated that the NG-CARES Programme, aimed at improving the lives of the poor and vulnerable, has been recognized as one of the best World Bank-assisted programmes in the country, benefiting over 9 million Nigerians directly.
Dr. Obaje commended the efforts of the Niger State Government, noting that the state is the top performer in terms of earnings in the North Central region. He also disclosed that approval has been given to extend the programme and increase the number of beneficiaries.
The Chairman of the Federal CARES Technical Committee, Mrs. Elizabeth Egharevba, in a message delivered by the National Coordinator of NG-CARES, stated that the programme has been instrumental in reaching vulnerable people. She added that the collaboration of stakeholders to address challenges within the scheme will help achieve the desired results.
In their separate remarks, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hajiya Binta Mamman, her counterpart in the Ministry of Finance, Alhaji Lawal Maikano, and the Commissioner of Lands, Barr. Maurice Magaji, praised NG-CARES for supporting beneficiaries, particularly women, who are among the most vulnerable in society.
The event also featured the presentation of symbolic cheques to some beneficiaries under the livelihood support, Result Area One project.
Eight states, including Niger, Benue, Gombe, Kaduna, Kogi, Plateau, Rivers, and the FCT Abuja, participated in the two-day event.
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