Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state Thursday flagged off the distribution of one N100 million livelihood grant to1, 000 beneficiaries of the 2022 flood-affected victims in the state.
The governor also flagged off the distribution of N10,000 monthly stipend each to 3,510 beneficiaries across the state.
Speaking during the launching ceremony at the Government House, Damaturu, Governor Mai Mala Buni said the two components were part of the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme.
Buni stated that the NG-CARES is an intervention programme that is built on the platforms of existing projects of the federal government such as the National Cash Transfer Programme (NCTP),Youth Employment and Social Support Operations (YESSO), FADAMA, Government Enterprises and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), among others.
He noted that these are all poverty alleviation and empowerment programmes being implemented at the federal and state levels with clear objectives to expand access to livelihood support and food security services, and grants for poor and vulnerable households.
He revealed that, “Over one decade of insurgency challenge has no doubt compounded our economic situation with unfavourable poverty indices, and sadly, government’s post-recovery efforts are further being challenged by natural disasters, high inflation rates and the consequences of oil subsidy withdrawal. However, government is taking advantage of such interventions to improve the well-being of our people.
“The programme is utilising the State Social Register of poor and vulnerable households to reach out to the targeted Beneficiaries.
“For the successful implementation of the various platforms of the NG-CARES, the State Government has made a cumulative contribution of One Billion, Eight Hundred and Twenty-Six Million, Nine Hundred and One thousand Naira (N1, 826,901,000)”.
He revealed that, the beneficiaries include farmers, small and medium entrepreneurs as well as provision of 44 micro projects to 21 communities under the FADAMA, Community and Social Development Agency and other related programmes in the state.
