Kwara govt. receives Independent Verification Agency over NG-Cares

The Kwara State Government has received the Team from the Independent Verification Agency (IVA), saddled with the responsibility to review the efficiency, transparency and accountability in the implementation of the NG-CARES programmes in Kwara State, while reassuring its readiness to support the poor, vulnerable groups and other less privileged members of the society in order to cushion the adverse effects of the current economic hardship in the country.

The Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Hauwa Nuru, who doubles as the Chairman, NG-CARES Steering Committee (SCSC), received the IVA Team, who visited the State for the third time, to verify the results of NG-CARES programmes being implemented in the State, in the conference room of the Ministry.

Dr. Nuru said the State Government is committed to alleviating poverty, reducing hardship, improving the livelihood of the downtrodden and supporting Small Scale businesses in the State, including farmers’ group.

She noted that Kwara has achieved good results in all the Delivery Platforms of the NG-CARES during the previous year implementation of the NG-CARES scheme, adding that more individuals; Nano, Micro and Small Enterprises were also supported across the sixteen Local Government Areas of the State in the current phase of the NG-CARES implementation, under Result Area 3 and this has greatly improved the livelihood of the beneficiaries.

According to the Commissioner, “6,613 beneficiaries are currently receiving Social Cash Transfer of 10,000 naira monthly and they are to be paid for 12 months before exiting the programme. This is in addition to the 1,690 beneficiaries that have benefitted in the first phase implementation. Also, the Labour Intensive Public Work (LIPW) is also having 5,348 beneficiaries deployed for the second phase of implementation and are currently receiving monthly stipend of 15,000 naira which is to last for one year. This is also in addition to the 1,025 beneficiaries deployed for public work and have successfully received monthly stipend for 12 months and exited the programme.”

“In the same vain, in the first phase of implementation under the Kwara State Community and Social Development Project, 32 Micro Projects (MPs) were completed under 9 Community Development Projects (CDPs) with direct beneficiaries of 30, 882, while 4 new CDPs were also approved to support 4 Local Government Areas in four communities with 8 Micro Projects providing social infrastructural facilities in health and sanitation with potential to serve 14, 958 under the second phase,” she added.

Dr. Nuru further disclosed that Fadama NG-CARES also supported the implementation to support 6,551 farmers in agric inputs and assets already exited the programme, revealing that a total of 8,020 benefited from agricultural inputs and assets.

The Commissioner noted that, in the third phase of implementation, 1,048 firms comprising Nano, Micro and Small businesses have successfully received operational support grant.

Earlier, the State Coordinator of NG-CARES, Mr. Ibiyinka Olatunde, expressed confidence that Kwara has met the criteria for the implementation of NG-CARES scheme, adding that the World Bank guidelines were also followed to the letters.

He assured the Independent Verification Agent Team that all the Heads of Delivery Platforms will be available to cooperative and avail them of the necessary documents to ensure seamless review of NG-CARES activities in Kwara State.

The Independent Verification Agent Team Leader, Mr. Baba Abdulrahman, appreciated the State Steering Committee on NG-CARES for prudence and impressive results over the three phases of the NG-CARES programme, saying the transparency and efficiency of the State in the implementation of NG-CARES across Delivery Platforms are commendable.

While urging the State Government to continue the tempo of bringing succour to the targeted members of the State, he noted that areas where adjustments need to be made will be communicated with the Committee.

Also present at the meeting were the Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Mallam Lafia Aliyu Kora Sabi; Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Oloruntoyo Thomas; Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Shehu Ndanusa; Commissioner for Social Development, Mrs Adeyemo Afolashade Oluwakemi; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Alhaji AbdulRazaq Folorunsho; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Umar Yakub Jaja; and the State Accountant General, Abdulganiyu Sani.