Cross River State has inaugurated the steering committee for the second phase of the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus, NG-CARES 2.0, following the state’s ranking as the second-best performing state nationally under the first phase.
The State Coordinator of NG-CARES, Chief Henry Egbelo, disclosed this on Tuesday in Calabar, saying Cross River recorded N49.43 billion in total earnings and N32.52 billion in reimbursements under NG-CARES 1.0.
The committee was inaugurated by Governor Bassey Edet Otu, represented by his Deputy, Peter Odey, at the Government House, Calabar.
Egbelo said Cross River’s performance also placed it first among states in the South-South, attributing the achievement to the state government’s support and the enabling environment provided for the implementation of the Federal Government-World Bank initiative.
He said NG-CARES 1.0 supported vulnerable households through social protection interventions, while vulnerable youths and street sweepers benefited from Labour-Intensive Public Works programmes.
According to him, the programme also supported farmers across major value chains through FADAMA, delivered community infrastructure projects through the Community and Social Development Agency, and provided grants to eligible micro and small enterprises.
Inaugurating the new steering committee, Otu charged members to ensure effective implementation of NG-CARES 2.0 in line with his administration’s People First agenda.
The governor said the programme was designed to strengthen existing social safety nets and provide livelihood support, improve agricultural value chains and enhance the economic resilience and wellbeing of vulnerable citizens.
He urged members to discharge their responsibilities with diligence and accountability, stressing the need to ensure that the programme’s benefits reach its intended beneficiaries.
Otu also commended the NG-CARES coordinating team for its performance under the first phase and assured the new committee of continued government support.
Responding, the Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the committee, Dr Michael Odere, pledged prudent management of resources and strict compliance with the programme’s objectives and guidelines.
He also assured the governor that the committee would uphold transparency and accountability in the implementation of NG-CARES 2.0.
