The Federal Government has distributed over N438 billion to 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) through the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) Programme. The disbursement was based on the results achieved during the third Independent Verification Agency (IVA) assessment conducted in January 2024, as stated by Malam Suleiman Odapu, Information and Communication Officer of the Federal CARES Support Unit (FCSU).
This significant funding aims to assist state governments and the FCT in tackling poverty and improving the livelihoods of vulnerable populations. The assessment revealed that Zamfara, Nasarawa, and Plateau states received the highest allocations, with N49.18 billion, N27.20 billion, and N26.31 billion, respectively. However, Kaduna and Anambra States did not present results for verification in this exercise.
Dr. Abdulkarim Obaje, National Coordinator of the NG-CARES Programme, expressed optimism that all 36 states and the FCT would participate in the upcoming fourth IVA assessment in September 2024. The NG-CARES Programme, initiated in 2021, was designed to mitigate the socioeconomic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and is set to conclude in December 2024.
Key Allocations
– Zamfara: N49.18 billion
– Nasarawa: N27.20 billion
– Plateau: N26.31 billion
– Cross River: N20.67 billion
– Rivers: N19.52 billion
– Niger: N17.77 billion
– Adamawa: N17.54 billion
– Katsina: N15.46 billion
– Imo: N15.41 billion
– Sokoto: N14.18 billion
– Ondo: N13.93 billion
– Delta: N13.27 billion
– Abia: N12.18 billion
– Bayelsa: N10.83 billion
– Yobe: N10.17 billion
– Kwara: N9.92 billion
– Osun: N9.56 billion
– Bauchi: N7.30 billion
– Kogi: N6.90 billion
– FCT: N6.77 billion
– Ebonyi: N6.26 billion
– Enugu: N6.19 billion
– Kano: N6.15 billion
– Oyo: N5.97 billion
– Borno: N5.90 billion
– Jigawa: N5.77 billion
– Lagos: N5.57 billion
– Taraba: N5.51 billion
– Ekiti: N5.51 billion
– Edo: N5.12 billion
– Benue: N4.91 billion
– Akwa Ibom: N2.43 billion
– Ogun: N2.13 billion
Program Objectives
The NG-CARES Programme focuses on alleviating poverty and enhancing livelihoods by providing grants and essential social infrastructure services in impoverished communities. The funds are directed towards projects such as social safety nets, food security, and support for small businesses, ensuring assistance reaches the most vulnerable Nigerians.
Future Outlook
Dr. Obaje expressed confidence that the disbursed resources would be judiciously utilized to provide meaningful improvements in the lives of the poor. “The substantial reimbursement will support state governments and the FCT in tackling urgent challenges of poverty, enhancing efforts to improve the livelihoods and resilience of the poor and vulnerable segments of the population,” he stated.
