The Federal Government has disbursed a total of N135,479,884,677.02 as reimbursement to states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
This disbursement follows the second independent assessment of results achieved under the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG CARES), a World Bank Assisted Performance For Results Programme.
Dr. Abdulkarim Obaje, the national coordinator of the NG-CARES programme, announced the disbursement of funds in Abuja on Friday.
He clarified that the allocation was based on the results achieved by states and the FCT in their initiatives to assist poor and vulnerable Nigerians under the NG-CARES Programme.
The details of this disbursement were provided in a statement by the Information and Communication Officer, NG-CARES, Suleiman Odapu. Dr. Obaje highlighted the top three best-performing states in the second assessment, with Nasarawa receiving N13,697,828,496.96, Cross River N10,944,747,818.84, and Zamfara N10,231,055,267.82.
The disbursement of funds as part of the NG-CARES Programme is described as a significant achievement in the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, aiming to allocate funds to address multi-dimensional poverty in the country.
Dr. Obaje commended the Honourable Minister for Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, for his leadership role in coordinating the implementation of the NG-CARES programme at the federal level. He also extended appreciation to governors, the FCT Minister, and the World Bank for their support in the successful execution of the program.
The NG-CARES programme, initiated by the Federal Government, serves as a strategic shock response mechanism and distribution channel to reach the poor and vulnerable in the country. Implemented through 158 integrated Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of all 36 state governments and the FCT Administration, the program has a proven track record of performance under previous donor-supported assistance.
Its objectives include expanding access to livelihood support, enhancing food security services, and providing grants for poor and vulnerable households and firms.