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Tag: NG-CARES

  • South-South stakeholders commend Delta’s impactful implementation of NG-CARES

    South-South stakeholders commend Delta’s impactful implementation of NG-CARES

    …as Oborevwori lauds World Bank, FG, others for sustaining programme

    Stakeholders from the South-South region on Tuesday gathered in Asaba, the Delta State capital, for the NG-CARES South-South Zonal Independent Verification Agents (IVAs) Performance Review Meeting.

    The event saw attendees from the World Bank, the federal government of Nigeria, state governments, and various implementing partners, all focused on evaluating the contributions of IVAs to the NG-CARES programme and planning for its next phase.

    Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Kingsley Emu, expressed appreciation for the collaborative efforts of the World Bank, the Federal Government, and the participating state governments.

    The NG-CARES programme, initially conceived as an emergency response to alleviate the socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, has since transformed into a comprehensive intervention.

    This programme is now considered a vital component of grassroots development across numerous states, underscoring its significant impact and importance.

    Oborevwori said, “The impact of NG-CARES in Delta State cannot be overemphasised. Through this initiative, we have touched the lives of over 306,177 direct beneficiaries and more than 1.2 million indirect beneficiaries. This programme has not only alleviated poverty but also stimulated economic growth and empowered our communities.

    “The review meeting emphasises the pivotal role of IVAs in ensuring the credibility, transparency, and objectivity of programme assessments. Stakeholders agreed that this joint review would shape future engagement strategies, especially regarding the re-engagement of IVAs for NG-CARES 2.0.

    “The discussions centred around the upcoming shift in implementation strategy under NG-CARES 2.0, which will prioritise a Community Action approach.

    Read Also: Fed Govt, states invest $834m in NG-CARES

     “This grassroots-driven model empowers communities to identify their own needs, implement local solutions, and take ownership of interventions, such as the construction and rehabilitation of social infrastructure.

    “By putting communities at the heart of planning and implementation, NG-CARES 2.0 will deliver deeper impact, stronger accountability, and more sustainable development.”

    Also speaking, World Bank Task Team Leader, Mr. Lire Ersado, revealed that the World Bank had committed $700 million to support the NG-CARES programme across Nigeria.

    He praised Delta State for its significant counterpart funding and impactful implementation.

    “Delta State has been one of the leading contributors to this programme,” said Ersado. “Even the Federal Government accessed N2.2 billion, but Delta’s commitment stands out. What matters most to the World Bank is not just how much has been spent, but how the programme is improving lives on the ground.”

    He further noted that the focus of the World Bank is on measurable, real-life improvements in the well-being of beneficiaries — from farmers and small businesses to vulnerable households.

  • FG seeks $500m additional financing for NG-CARES to tackle poverty

    FG seeks $500m additional financing for NG-CARES to tackle poverty

    The federal government has moved to secure an additional $500 million in financing to upscale the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) Programme, following its success in supporting vulnerable Nigerians and small businesses.

    The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, disclosed this at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, where he confirmed that the Additional Financing (AF) request was made by the state governments through the federal government. 

    The World Bank Board and the Federal Executive Council have approved the facility, and it is now awaiting the National Assembly’s endorsement.

    Bagudu told stakeholders, including commissioners of Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that President Bola Tinubu remains committed to improving the livelihoods of poor and vulnerable Nigerians. He said the president’s focus is on ensuring food security and facilitating the recovery of micro and small enterprises (MSEs), in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    “President Bola Tinubu’s visionary leadership and Renewed Hope Agenda have created a favourable macroeconomic environment, leading to the proliferation of highly impactful programmes aimed at vulnerable and underprivileged groups,” Bagudu said.

    The NG-CARES Programme was initially launched as the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Programme in June 2021, supported by a $750 million World Bank credit secured through the International Development Association (IDA). The programme has since been renamed and redesigned to provide broader support for communities dealing with the impacts of climate change, civil conflicts, natural disasters, and the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Read Also: Fed Govt, states invest $834m in NG-CARES

    As a Programme-for-Results (PforR), NG-CARES has so far delivered measurable outcomes, reaching over 16 million direct beneficiaries across all states and the FCT. The credit facility has enabled states to implement initiatives aimed at curbing poverty and bolstering local economic activity, particularly for groups facing systemic disadvantage.

    Bagudu explained that the stakeholders’ engagement was convened to deepen understanding of the design and operational structure for the upcoming NG-CARES Additional Financing. He said the meeting was also aimed at fostering collaboration between subnational Ministries of Finance and Budget and Planning to enhance implementation outcomes.

    “Sustaining the livelihoods of over 200 million people is crucial to everything we do,” the minister said. “The NG-CARES AF would progressively upscale the successes achieved under the existing programme, foster stronger coordination mechanisms between the federal and state governments, strengthen service delivery platforms at all levels, and accelerate the implementation of programmes to address the current crisis.”

    He maintained that Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy, cannot afford to allow millions to remain in extreme poverty. He added that the NG-CARES Additional Financing would play a pivotal role in confronting these challenges and ensuring continuity in community-based support initiatives.

    Bagudu assured that the federal government will maintain rigorous oversight and quality assurance across the board. He stated that institutional strengthening and technical support will be provided to state governments through relevant federal agencies. These efforts, he said, would ensure strategic coordination, continuous programme review, and improved results.

    According to him, the Tinubu administration is committed to building on the gains already recorded by the NG-CARES Programme and scaling up efforts to cushion the economic effects of ongoing local and global shocks on Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations.

  • Fed Govt, states invest $834m in NG-CARES

    Fed Govt, states invest $834m in NG-CARES

    The federal and state governments have invested $834,597,246.25 since the inception of the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme in 2021.

    Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Emeka Obi dropped the hint in his opening remarks at the Stakeholders Consultative on NG-CARES Programme 2.0, in Abuja.

    Obi said that over the past four years, the programme had impacted positively on the lives and livelihoods of over 15 million poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

    He said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration was committed to addressing holistically, the socioeconomic challenges facing the Nigerian poor.

    “This value is also shared by the World Bank and this is indeed commendable, ” Obi said.

    The permanent secretary commended the support provided by the states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) towards the implementation of the NG-CARES programme.

    Read Also: NG-Cares: 14 Oyo communities get funds for 38 micro-projects

    He said: “This is exemplified by the huge investments which have produced a cumulative earned results amounting to the sum of 834,597,246.25 dollars since the inception of the Programme in 2021.

    “This is however less than the actual reimbursement to the States and FCT which stands at 645,742,514.60 dollars, representing about 30 per cent over performance.

    “This is a testament to the deep commitment of the sub National Governments to own and institutionalise NG-CARES and Social Protection in the country.”

    He said that the NG-CARES programme had been extended by the Federal Government and approved by the World Bank to close on May 31.

    Obi said: “This is to give ample time to all stakeholders involved to conclude work on the design of NG-CARES 2.0.”

    He explained that the consultative meeting provides stakeholders with a unique opportunity to review the agreements reached so far, refine them, if need be and advise on strategies to achieve the programme’s objectives.

    Obi added that the meeting provides stakeholders with a platform for fostering collaboration and synergy among all of them as they together build a more resilient and inclusive Nigeria.

    The permanent secretary admonished participants to focus discussions in the course of the meeting on practical and actionable recommendations that would make the NG-CARES 2.0 more impactful and sustainable.

    He stated that the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning is pleased with the outstanding results achieved under the NG-CARES programme.

    Obi said: “This reinforces our vision of providing strategic coordination and oversight for donor support interventions in Nigeria.

    “We will ensure that NG-CARES achieves its intended outcomes in the second phase.

  • Why politicians couldn’t hijack NG-CARES, by Team Leader

    Why politicians couldn’t hijack NG-CARES, by Team Leader

    Task Team Leader of the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES), Dr. Lire Ersado, has explained reasons why politicians failed to hijack the $750m programme for political gains.

    Dr. Ersado, who was represented by a former Task Team Leader, Prof. Foluso Okunmadewa, said any indication that names compiled from states contained politically beneficiaries would be struck out.

    He said such state would not be reimbursed by the World Bank.

    Radio said Independent verification Agents were also sent to cerify claims by states and that suspicious names were removed.

    Read Also: Ondo Senator’s ‘Back to School’ initiative excites constituents

    He spoke in Akure at the Peer Learning and Experience Sharing Events attended by 10 states of the Federation. According to him, NG-CARES putting together the projects under the World Bank portfolio was the most noble ideas. The first phase will gulp $750m. Government should not let NG-CARES die.

    The late former Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu embraced NG-Cares with everything he had.

    He promised to do everything and did everything to ensure the programme has a strong footing.

    “There are direct beneficiaries and indirect beneficiaries.

    The programme will be closing December.

    There are direct beneficiaries receiving assistant across the country.

    There are indirect beneficiaries.

    The last estimate was put at 30 million Nigerians that benefitted.

    “It has changed consumption pattern in a lot of household. It has helped a lot of farmers to increase their production. It has helped a lot ofbuisnessss affects day flooding or COVID-19 get back on. It has impacted lives.

    The challenges are that the approach used was new.

    There was a slow start. It was not what people was used to whereby the World Bank provided the facilities then activities will start.”

    National Coordinator NG-CARES, Dr. Abdulkarim Obaje, said 5.3 million Nigerians have benefitted from the programme.

  • NG-Cares: 14 Oyo communities get funds for 38 micro-projects from OYCSDA

    NG-Cares: 14 Oyo communities get funds for 38 micro-projects from OYCSDA

    No fewer than 14 communities in different parts of Oyo state have secured funding for about 38 micro-projects from the State Community and Social Development Agency (OYCSDA), under the Nigerian Community Action (for) Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) initiatives of the Federal Government.

    The disbursement exercise came after the training of the Community Project Management Committee (CPMC), which was held at the House of Chiefs, Oyo State Secretariat, Ibadan on Thursday.

    The chairman of Oyo State Community and Social Development Agency (OYCSDA), Abideen Adeaga who declared the training open, emphasized the need for the benefiting communities to take control of the micro-projects, which is a Community-Driven Development Approach (CDD), to ensure prompt completion, functionality and utilization of the projects.

    He went further to inform the participants that the World Bank would reimburse the state on the micro-projects if the guidelines are followed, for the sake of quality delivery and project sustainability.

    “The Oyo State Government, led by Governor Seyi Makinde is well aware of the prevailing infrastructural deficit and current harsh economic realities of the people of Oyo State, I can confirm that His Excellency is not only determined to ameliorate our situation but is also passionate and committed to taking us from poverty to prosperity.

    Read Also: Kwara targets 600,000 beneficiaries in fresh NG-CARES interventions

    “Let me briefly remind you about two principles of our agency which are: the community-driven development approach (CDD) and programme for the result (P4R) approach, in which the State government initially funds projects but gets reimbursed by the World Bank after the projects have been completed, functional and are utilized according to standard, within the given time frame,” he declared.

    Earlier, the general manager of OYCSDA, Mr Salau Jelili, in his welcome address, also appreciated Governor Makinde for accepting that the State participates in the NG-CARES programme and as well as approving funds for the execution of work plans.

    He said NG-CARES targets existing and emerging vulnerable and poor households affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the OYCSDA was expected to intervene in basic social infrastructural micro-projects on education, health, erosion control, nutrition, water, and sanitation.

    The representative of the OYS-CARES Coordinating Unit at the event, Mr Lawal Kehinde harped on the need for unity, accountability, transparency, and the need to work towards delivering quality projects in each community.

    He charged all the committee members to allow others who are not on the committees to have inputs that will give them also, sense of belonging.

    Among the benefiting communities are Isokan Community Project Management Committee (CPMC), Ibadan South-West LG, Olorunkemi CPMC, Kajola LG, Ogo-Oluwa CPMC, Olorunsogo LG, Ofa-Igbo CPMC, Lagelu LG, Oluwanisola CPMC, Irepo LG, Ojoo-Olanla CPMC, Akinyele LG and Ebedi CPMC, Iseyin LG

    Others are Jabata CPMC, Oyo East LG, Ifelodun CPMC, Ibadan North-East LG, Ire Akari CPMC, Kajola, Kajola LG, Ayetoro/Ifelagba CPMC, Atiba LG, Ifesowapo CPMC, Ibarapa East LG and Ilupeju/Oriaje/Idi-Ope CPMC, Ibadan South-East LG, Ibadan and Abudoro-Arulogun CPMC, Lagelu LG.

  • ‘NG-CARES improves means of livelihood in vulnerable household’

    ‘NG-CARES improves means of livelihood in vulnerable household’

    The Lagos State Government has described the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) initiative as a transformative scheme, serving as a catalyst for empowerment that addresses not only immediate needs but creates a pathway for sustained prosperity.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih, stated this at a-one day sensitisation programme  at Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja.

    The event was organised for the new 1,716 beneficiaries admitted into the NG-CARES Labour Intensive Public Workfare (LIPW) DLI 1.2 across 20 Local Government Areas.

    Explaining the social intervention programme as a support system, Dr. Oreoluwa noted the scheme is providing opportunities for meaningful engagement and breaking the cycle of poverty across the state.

    According to her, “Under the unwavering commitment of this administration to shared prosperity, the NG-CARES social impact initiative has become one of the driving forces in realizing the vision of the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Development Agenda, standing as a testament to our dedication to alleviating poverty and fostering sustainable livelihoods.”

    Speaking on the essence of the sensitization exercise, Dr. Oreoluwa stated that beneficiaries need to be enlightened about the myriad opportunities and benefits associated with their participation in the program, maintaining that beneficiaries must understand the profound impact their dedication to the project can have in the life of the larger community.

    Read Also: FG unveils plans to leverage audience measurement system for economic growth

    “As beneficiaries, you are not just workers; you are integral members of a larger community working towards a common goal. We believe in your ability to make a positive impact. Your commitment to self-improvement and community betterment is commendable and serves as an inspiration to us all”, she enthused.

    While maintaining that the transformative initiative which is being midwifed by the Office of SDGs has achieved a significant milestone with the graduation of over 1700 beneficiaries in the first phase, Dr. Oreoluwa explained that the inclusion of new set of beneficiaries underscores the program’s scalability and its potential to reach an even larger audience.

    “This expansion reflects our dedication to inclusivity and our firm belief that the benefits of sustainable development should be extended to as many individuals as possible. This platform has already graduated over 1,700 beneficiaries from various communities, working with organizations like LAWMA, Public Works, Ministry of Transportation, LASPARK, Primary Health Cares, and other intervention agencies”, she noted.

    She said that as the State continues to navigate emerging challenges, the government remains steadfast in its dedication to the well-being of every Lagosians, laying the groundwork for lasting positive change in the lives of our people at the grassroots level.

    The Permanent Secretary, Office of Sustainable Development Goals, Mrs. Tolani Oshodi affirmed that enrollment of these new beneficiaries into the Labour-Intensive Public Workforce is an essential step to extend the benefits of the social intervention and involve more vulnerable Lagosians in the project.

    Represented by the Director, Administrative and Human Resources, Office of SDGs, Mrs. Nike Akanji, the Permanent Secretary revealed that the delivery platform plays a pivotal role in the overall implementation of the NG-CARE project, adding that the scheme has significantly enhance the socio-economic well-being of vulnerable members of our society and alleviate their challenges.

    “The administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is responsive to the necessities of the people and we are dedicated to providing opportunities to achieve a state of well-being and socially acceptable standards of living for all our citizens”, she stated.