AbdulRazaq Approves N76Million For COVID-19 Action Recovery & Economic Stimulus Projects

Kwara state Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has released the sum of seventy-six million naira to commence the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus projects in the state.

The Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Finance and Planning, Alhaji AbdulRasaq Folorunsho confirms this development to Newsmen on Tuesday 6th of July, 2021 at the inaugural Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) exercise to Bode Saadu community in Moro Local Government Area of the state.

Alhaji Folorunsho explained that the operational amount of the programme is seven hundred and fifty million dollars, and would run for two years to financially support all the thirty-six (36) states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

In her welcome address, the General Manager, State Community and Social Development Agency, Engr. Amamat Oluwatoyin Haruna, said the NG-CARES is designed to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, boost the development strides of the state and further strengthen the gains of pro-poor policies of the state government.

In her words, the General Manager said, “the NG-CARES is designed to support budgeted government intervention at the State level, while targeting existing and newly vulnerable and poor households, Agricultural value chains, micro, small and medium enterprise that were affected by the economic crisis as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Having said this, I would like to congratulate the good people of Bode-Saadu community for being part of history today, as your community is the first to kick start the process of NG-CARES implementation with this Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) exercise.

“This feat could not have been achieved without the benevolence of the people’s Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who released the sum of N76million to KWCSDA-NGCARES to commence the project in the state, even before it’s official effectiveness.”

Engr Amamat therefore thanked the state Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his commitment to poverty alleviation in the state.

Earlier in his remarks, the District Head, Bode Saadu in Moro Local Government Area, Alhaji Aliu Olarongbe Sulu-Gambari thanked Governor AbdulRazaq for his love for the people of the state particularly Bode Saadu community.

During the sensitization, the Operations Manager, Mr Oyeleke Joseph, stressed the need for representatives of the community to use only quality materials so as to have standard jobs.

Also, Operation Officers, Ms Kemi Bukoye and Hajia Ramat Adebayo advised members of the community to use facilities that would be established responsibly and also utilize the funds judiciously to accelerate more development in the various communities.

The Project Officer Supervisor, Mr David Babalola on his part urged members of the committee to work together for the benefit of the community.

Members of the community voted for their desired projects. Water got the highest votes with 162 votes while VIP toilet came second with 125 votes. Hospital came third with 107 votes, Nutrition for school children got 81 votes and education got 70 votes.