NG-CARES is delivering sustainable prosperity in Kwara - Official
By Muyideen Aliyu, Ilorin
An official of the Kwara State Government has hailed the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) initiative as a transformative program that is not only addressing immediate socio-economic needs but also establishing a sustainable pathway for long-term prosperity.
This commendation came from the State Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the State Steering Committee on NG-CARES, Dr. Hauwa Nuru, during an interactive session with the Federal NG-CARES Team on a documentary field visit to Ilorin.
Dr. Nuru noted that the World Bank-supported NG-CARES Programme provided a crucial lifeline during the challenging post-COVID-19 recovery period.
She emphasized that the intervention successfully complemented the bold and people-centered efforts of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to mitigate the pandemic's impact on citizens and businesses.
"Under the unwavering commitment of Governor AbdulRazaq’s administration to support the poor and vulnerable, the NG-CARES initiative has evolved from an emergency recovery intervention into a comprehensive economic stimulus programme, driving sustainable growth across the State," Nuru stated.
The Commissioner highlighted that Kwara State continues to excel under the NG-CARES Programme for Results (PforR) framework, consistently emerging as one of the top-performing states nationwide.
This strong performance was recently reaffirmed by the Independent Verification Assessment (IVA), which confirmed high achievements across all Result Areas.
Nuru stressed that community-driven micro-projects, such as new classrooms, water supply systems, and health centers, have provided meaningful support to vulnerable households and enterprises, restoring livelihoods and strengthening resilience.
She estimated that over two million Kwarans have benefited from the various interventions across the state's 16 Local Government Areas and 193 wards.
"Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has demonstrated a deep commitment to inclusive growth, transparency, and people-centered governance," Nuru added. "His leadership and consistent support have been pivotal to the success of the NG-CARES programme and the remarkable social impact we see today."
Earlier, the Head of the Federal NG-CARES Team, Abubakar Bisalla, commended the State Government for its outstanding implementation of the programme.
Bisalla noted that the success recorded in Kwara has attracted attention from the National Assembly and Civil Society Organizations, leading to the decision to produce a documentary specifically showcasing Kwara’s achievements.
In response, the State Coordinator of NG-CARES, Alhaji Abdulwahab Hussain, assured the Federal Team that the State Government remains committed to pursuing the objectives of the social protection agenda through the restoration and strengthening of livelihoods among the poor and vulnerable population.