The Katsina State Government says it has provided support to over 200,000 persons under the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economy Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme.
The Head of the NG-CARES Coordinating Unit in the state, Alhaji Shuaibu Aliyu stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Katsina.
He said the World Bank through the Federal Government provided 20 million dollars financial support to facilitate smooth implementation of the programme in the state.
Aliyu said the programme was designed to assist the poor and vulnerable persons to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said the beneficiaries had been directly supported under the NG-CARES three result areas, adding that many indirect beneficiaries were also involved.
“Result Area 1 aims to support government’s efforts in scaling up safety net services that provide consumption and livelihood support to the increasing number of the poor and vulnerable households.
“The Result Area 2 aims at increasing food security and safe functioning of food supply chains for poor households. This are agriculture related activities across the entire agricultural value chain.
“While the Result Area 3 aimed at facilitating recovery and enhancing capabilities of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs),” he said.
He said that 516 beneficiaries received between N40,000 and N50,000 seed capital under the Result Area 1, adding that the component targeted 1,571 direct beneficiaries.
The Coordinator said that the Basic Service Indicator of the NG-CARES Result Area 1, also executed 81 education, health and water supply projects.
“Thirty four communities and over 64,000 people benefited under this indicator. These communities presented their needs and we have supported them at the first circle.
“In Result Area 2, which focused on agriculture, over 3,000 farmers benefited in various ways, and the target is 11,307 beneficiaries.
“Under Result Area 3; we have so far supported 692 SMEs with grant ranging from N100,000 to N300,000, Our target is 1,696 beneficiaries.
“Additionally; 496 SMEs will be train on how to enhance their businesses through modern ways. The screening is ongoing at the moment,“ he said, adding that the two-year programme which began in 2021 is expected to end in June, 2023.
He expressed satisfaction with the feat achieved through the execution and utilisation of the support by the beneficiaries, adding that an effective monitoring mechanism had been put in place to ensure sustainability.
