From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Kogi State Government has commenced the implementation of Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme in the state.
The programme which was conceived by the federal government, 36 states governors and world bank is aimed at reducing poverty and sufferings encountered from COVID-19 pandemic across the globe.
Declaring the programme open in Lokoja on Thursday, the Secretary to Kogi Government, Dr. Mrs Folashade Ayoade who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Yahaya Bello in her office, Mr. Ephraim Amurawaiye, said that the training is also targeted at capacity building and equipping the participants with necessary roles to play in community development at the grassroots.
According to the SSG” The training will offer the participants the opportunity to know what is required of them in playing complementary roles on rural transformation”
She said that the state government through its Community and Social Development Agency, organized the 2022 Technical Training for Local Government Recovery Committees and Ministries, Departments and Agencies to restore the economic and social values that were lost after the COVID-19 pandemic that ralvaged the world over.
Ayoade hinted that the focus of the state government is on how to ensure that the programme is fully implemented in every local government area of Kogi.
The General Manager of the Kogi State Community and Social Development Agency, Chief Dauda Momoh in his speech, disclosed that the NG-CARES programme is slated for two years in the state.
The General Manager disclosed that the first phase which has started will cover 11 local government areas of the state and will end on October, this year before the commencement of the second year for the remaining LGAs to benefit.
He expressed optimism that the training will educate beneficiaries on the rudiments of viable projects execution that would uplift the living standard of the rural populace.
He commended community development officers in the three senatorial districts of the state for their task in ensuring effective supervision of projects within their communities on behalf of government.
Chief Dauda Momoh therefore, called on the Kogi State Government for timely release of funds to his Agency for the realisation of the programme.