By joshua Kogi Water Resources Commissioner Unveils NG-CARES Programme For Lokoja LGA, Warns Against Compromising Ododo’s Good Intentions
Lokoja — The Kogi State Commissioner for Water Resources, Engr. Yahaya M.D. Farouk, on Friday unveiled the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus, NG-CARES, intervention programme for Lokoja Local Government Area, designed to benefit thousands of vulnerable residents.
Unveiling the programme on behalf of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, Engr. Farouk said the intervention could not be over-emphasized, noting the need for stakeholders to be properly guided on its objectives and implementation strategies.
He explained that the programme covers cash transfers, livelihood grants, Labour Intensive Public Works, community projects, as well as agricultural inputs and assets, with an overall target of over 7,000 beneficiaries in Lokoja LGA, including direct beneficiaries and those to benefit from community-based projects and other socio-economic interventions.
The Commissioner stressed that transparency and equitable distribution would be the watchword in the implementation, adding that the selection and allocation process had been structured to ensure the intervention reaches intended beneficiaries across wards and polling units.
He said special attention would be given to communities that had not benefited from similar programmes in the past, charging stakeholders to focus on identifying less privileged persons irrespective of religion or political affiliation.
“At this point, let me advise and warn that you are not expected to select your family members and friends. It should get to everyone irrespective of religion, party and other considerations. The good intentions of the Governor must not be tampered with. Less privileged persons should be the target, bearing in mind that the entire programme is meant to reduce poverty across Kogi State,” he warned.
Engr. Farouk said the programme was not for family and friends but for the vulnerable, assuring that he would strictly monitor its implementation to prevent sharp practices and to achieve the lofty objectives of the administration.
He directed Senior Political Appointees, Ward councillors, ward chairmen and women leaders to work with other key stakeholders in handling the selection process using the approved template to guarantee transparency.
“On behalf of His Excellency, the people’s Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, I hereby unveil the NG-CARES in Lokoja Local Government Area for the good of the people,” he declared.
In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Community and Social Development Projects, Alhaji Muhammed Nuhu Tanimu, commended the Commissioner for ensuring equitable distribution of projects across wards, noting that the initiative had eased pressure on his office.
Other speakers at the event lauded the Commissioner for transparency and accountability in office and pledged their support for the successful implementation of the programme.
The engagement marks another major step in rolling out the NG-CARES intervention in Lokoja, with stakeholders expected to support the identification and documentation of beneficiaries in the coming weeks.
Lokoja Local Government, with 10 wards and 273 polling units, is the fourth largest in Kogi State in terms of voting population.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of forms and other implementation documents to ward leaders by the Commissioner.Theders by the Commissioner.The Kogi State Commissioner for Water Resources, Engr. Yahaya M.D. Farouk, on Friday unveiled the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus, NG-CARES, intervention programme for Lokoja Local Government Area, designed to benefit thousands of vulnerable residents.
Unveiling the programme on behalf of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, Engr. Farouk said the intervention could not be over-emphasized, noting the need for stakeholders to be properly guided on its objectives and implementation strategies.
He explained that the programme covers cash transfers, livelihood grants, Labour Intensive Public Works, community projects, as well as agricultural inputs and assets, with an overall target of over 7,000 beneficiaries in Lokoja LGA, including direct beneficiaries and those to benefit from community-based projects and other socio-economic interventions.
The Commissioner stressed that transparency and equitable distribution would be the watchword in the implementation, adding that the selection and allocation process had been structured to ensure the intervention reaches intended beneficiaries across wards and polling units.
He said special attention would be given to communities that had not benefited from similar programmes in the past, charging stakeholders to focus on identifying less privileged persons irrespective of religion or political affiliation.
“At this point, let me advise and warn that you are not expected to select your family members and friends. It should get to everyone irrespective of religion, party and other considerations. The good intentions of the Governor must not be tampered with. Less privileged persons should be the target, bearing in mind that the entire programme is meant to reduce poverty across Kogi State,” he warned.
Engr. Farouk said the programme was not for family and friends but for the vulnerable, assuring that he would strictly monitor its implementation to prevent sharp practices and to achieve the lofty objectives of the administration.
He directed ward councillors, ward chairmen and women leaders to work with other key stakeholders in handling the selection process using the approved template to guarantee transparency.
“On behalf of His Excellency, the people’s Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, I hereby unveil the NG-CARES in Lokoja Local Government Area for the good of the people,” he declared.
In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Community and Social Development Projects, Alhaji Muhammed Nuhu Tanimu, commended the Commissioner for ensuring equitable distribution of projects across wards, noting that the initiative had eased pressure on his office.
Other speakers at the event lauded the Commissioner for transparency and accountability in office and pledged their support for the successful implementation of the programme.
The engagement marks another major step in rolling out the NG-CARES intervention in Lokoja, with stakeholders expected to support the identification and documentation of beneficiaries in the coming weeks.
Lokoja Local Government, with 10 wards and 273 polling units, is the fourth largest in Kogi State in terms of voting population.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of forms and other implementation documents to ward leaders by the Commissioner.