The Federal Government has pledged to support Taraba State government in tackling food security issues and the provision of basic services in t state.
National Coordinator of the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) Programme, Dr. Abdulkarim Obaje made the pledge when he paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Keffas on Tuesday.
He said the pledge is part of the continuous resolve to assist sub-nationals in tackling poverty, addressing basic infrastructural dearth, food security and support to small and nano businesses in the States.
Obaje stated that if States and FCT fully support the implementation of NG-CARES, the Programme’s aim to expand access to livelihood support and food security services and grants for poor and vulnerable households and firms in the country, would be achieved.
According to him, “The NG-CARES is a Performance for Results (PforR) Programme where States and FCT get reimbursed for funding developments according to agreed protocols. The reimbursement is based on earned results which translates into a corresponding amount much higher than what the sub-national invested.”
The National Coordinator according to a statement by the Information and Communication Officer, NG-CARES, Mr. Suleiman Odapu, said with more support from the state government, the state Delivery platforms would perform better and earn more results and funds for the State.
Responding, Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas pledged the State government’s commitment to fully support the implementation of the NG-CARES Programme in the State. He charged the Implementation departments and agencies of the programme in the State to work harder and according to the guidelines of the Implementation Manual to earn better results for the State.
He charged the MDAs implementing the programme in the State to report regular updates to enable him to track progress and promised to prioritize the welfare of staff working on the programme.
Governor Kefas lamented the delay in the release of funds due to bureaucracy pointing it out as a major setback in the implementation of the Programme. He added that he would be a fulfilled Governor the day, the poor and vulnerable in the State have access to development.
The NG-CARES Programme is set to release funds to States and FCT following the successful conduct of the second Independent Verification excercise and validation of the results earned by the States and FCT.