...as Federal Cares Committee, Other Stakeholders meet in Akure to drive Progress on Shared Objectives.
Ondo State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan has commended stakeholders most especially members of the NG-CARES Task Team from the World Bank, members of the Federal Cares Team Committee, federal and state ministries of Budget & Economic Planning among other key stakeholders for a job well done in bringing succor to vulnerable in the state. The Commissioner made this remark while giving a keynote address at a two-day Peer Learning and Knowledge Sharing program hosted in the state at the International Events Centre, The Dome, in Akure.
Igbasan whose address was delivered by the State Cares Coordinator, Mr. Bamidele Daisi, described the program as historic and auspicious noted that it will inspire all parties to collectively take a deep reflection on the project and engage in robust discussions to scale-up the NG-CARES programme. He said it is on good record that the NG-CARES programme has performed exceptionally well among other World Bank supported interventions in the country, noting that Ondo State massively invested through the OD-CARES initiatives on the people across the 18 LGAs. Among the successes recorded according to Mr. Governor include 7,550 poor and vulnerable people ranging from different vulnerability profiles, 19,023 unemployed youths gainfully engaged, 175 micro projects with estimated 227,993 beneficiaries and 26, 353 farmers supported with agricultural inputs.
He however charged the stakeholders to take advantage of the deliberations to share insights and proffer ways to expand the program. In his remarks, Prof. Foluso Okunmadewa, the representative of the Task Team Leader talked about the impact of the intervention saying it has succeeded in changing consumption pattern for lots of household and also helped farmers and businesses that were affected by lockdown or flooding to recover. He noted that about $500millom will be injected into Phase two of the program and as expected, following approval of Governors demand for its extension. The team leader added that States across the federation will start financing it first and get reimbursed to the quantum expended after projects evaluation. He also affirmed that state social registers will now accommodate more names as part of efforts to expand the initiative. The Professor commended Ondo for performing exceptionally well as the best in the Southern part of the country.
At the event also was Mrs. Elizabeth Egbarevba, Chairman, Federal Cares Technical Committee ably represented who took time to explain the eaeence of the knowledge sharing. While noting that the programme indeed marks an important milestone for the project as it provides partners and stakeholders from across the region the opportunity to share learnings, best practices, and insights that can help drive progress on shared objectives, she acknowledged that more grounds need to be covered.
One major highlight of the event is syndicate sessions on Enhancing Agricultural Support and Infrastructure: Revitalizing Nano, Micro and Small Enterprises and Social Transfer, Public Workfare, Livelihood and Basic Services with each session ending with a plenary.
Sunday Ajibola,
Head Media,
Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget