By Philip Yatai

The Kaduna State Government says the World Bank-supported Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (N-CARES) programme will increase access to livelihood support and food security to the poor and vulnerable.

Mr Thomas Gyang, Commissioner, Planning and Budget Commission, stated this in Kaduna on Tuesday, when he received the Chairman, N-CARES National Preparatory Committee, Mr Aso Vakporaye and his team in his office.

Gyang, who is the Chairman of N-CARES state Steering Committee, expressed the state’s readiness for the take-off of the programme.

He assured that the State Coordinating Unit of the programme was made up of hard working, experienced and dedicated staff of the commission.

Gyang added that Gov. Nasir El-Rufai was very passionate about improving the livelihood of the poor and vulnerable in the state and would support any programme targeting them.

Earlier, Vakporaye explained that the team was in Kaduna to assess the state’s readiness for the take-off of the programme.

He added that the visit was to encourage and sensitise the state coordinating unit and the delivery platforms of the three result areas in the state on efficient delivery of the programme.

He explained that the N-CARES programme was designed to expand access to livelihoods support, food security services and grants for poor and vulnerable households.

“This is an emergency programme designed to support and provide interventions at the state level targeting agricultural value chain and Small and Medium Enterprises,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme is a two-year World Bank initiative to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 at the state level.

It is designed to protect the livelihoods of poor and vulnerable households and support the recovery of local economic activities.

The objective is to increase social transfers, basic services, and livelihood support to poor and vulnerable households.

It is also meant to enhance food security and safe functioning of food supply chains for poor and vulnerable households.

The third objective of the programme is to facilitate recovery and enhance capabilities of Micro, Small and Medium scale Enterprises.

Kaduna state is leveraging existing platforms to implement the CARES programme such as the State Cash Transfer Unit of the Social Investment Office, and Community and Social Development Agency.

Others are FADAMA, Kaduna State Industrialization and Micro-credit Board, Ministry of Human Services and Social Development, and Ministry of Business, Innovation and Technology. (NAN)