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As part of its commitment to stem the effect of the Covid 19 pandemic on the state economy, the Kogi state government has a organized a one-day stakeholder sensitization and training program known as the Covid 19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus.(CARES)
His Excellency, Alh Yahaya Bello, the Governor of Kogi State who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Mrs, Folashade Arike Ayoade declared the program opened at the venue of the event at glass house in lokoja.
His Excellency, commended the State commissioner for Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning Hon. Asiwaju Idris and his team for putting up a befitting program, describing it as timely.
His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya Bello, while assuring the people of the state that his government will adhere strictly to the KG CARES programme guildelines, said he will ensure it works out well for the benefit of kogites
The Governor also disclosed that the sum of three billion nairas has been budgeted for the poor and the vulnerable in the 2021 fiscal year, noting that, his administration will continue to embark on peoples oriented programmes and projects
The governor also promised that his administration will continue to support communities in terms of good health and quality education which he said is evidence by the brilliant works carried out by the Community and Social Development Agency ( CSDA) in the State
His Excellency said the Kogi Enterprise Development Agency ( KEDA) under his administration, will strengthen the small and medium enterprises in the state to enable it boost the economy.
While reiterating that his administration will not relent in its efforts in fighting insecurity in the state, the gov said the major obligation of his government is to ensure that lives and properties of the people of the state are safe
He said the success recorded by his administration in the fight against security is the relative peace been currently enjoyed in the state
In his opening address, the Kogi State NG- Cares Focal Person and Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Asiwaju Idris lauded the initiative of the present administration under the leadership of Alh. Yahaya Bello for its giant strides towards industrializing the state.
He said the Gov has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities in pulling the KG CARES program this far in the state with the main objective of mitigating the prevailing harsh economic effects of Covid 19 on our disadvantaged households and firms
The Commissioner said even though there are no recorded cases of Covid 19 in the state, the KG CARE is an economic recovery plan by the government to cushion the effects of the lockdown across the globe and some states which has negatively affected the economy of our the state .
Similarly, he said the most challenged people are the poor, and the vulnerable groups in the society.
Hon. Idris disclosed that Covid 19 effects has forced many businesses to either shut down or made business owners operate at a far less than optimal performance capacity, which has led to inability of business owners to cover their recurrent cost, thereby leading to an upsurge in unemployment, inflation, poverty and other disturbing indices.
Hon Idris, however maintained that Kogi is making the right progress in the health and agric sectors as well as combating insecurity in the state.
The Commissioner, while rolling out the ministry’s scorecard, said the state recently top other states due to it’s transparency in budgeting process, auditing financial statements, procurement, debt services amongst others. This he said, earned the state second and first position in the State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and sustainability Programme for Results ( SFTAS) in 2018 and 2019 respectively in the financial ratings
The commissioner added that the KG CARES programme is divided into three areas of which the a focal person will represent each results area
According to him, the result area 1, will assist the poor and vulnerable and also help the community in the areas of education, health, water and nutrition
Secondly, the area 2, will help farmers in the local community through the provision of inputs for their farming and also make the roads motorable
Lastly, the result area 3, will see how the government will assist small/ medium enterprise in the state.
He said the governor has directed that grants be given to this category of people to help them grow their businesses
He called on stakeholders to make good use of the opportunity provided them by the state govt by keying into the right parties to enable them fasts track the realization of the objectives of the program.
In his keynote address, the National Coordinator, Dr. Abdulkareem Obaje who was represented by the head of Monitoring and Information Management, Mr. Niyi Oduniyi said it will gladden his heart to know that Kogi State will be rated number one in the lists of States that have positively affected the poor people in Nigeria
He appreciated the initiative of the Fed. govt, governors as well as the World Bank in their efforts in tackling the Covid 19 pandemic
He appealed to the state govt to ensure that the 3 billion naira budgeted for the programme is cash backed and well utilized for the purpose it is meant for, noting that KG CARES is a programme for results and as such, state will not be paid without any evidence
He said the programme development objectives of NG CARES is to expand access to livelihood support on food security , grants for the poor and vulnerable households and firms.
The Coordinator said the three results that will help achieve these are
1, To increase special transfer, basic services livelihood support to the poor and vulnerable households
2, Increasing food security, safe culture, and food supply for poor households
3, SMEs facilitates recovery and enhancing the capacity of existing micro small and medium scale enterprise
While urging the supervising agency to be inline with the funds that will be made available, Dr. Obaje said they should shun every form of bureaucracy
In his good will message, the Obaro of Kabba, Oba Solomon Adeniyi, who spoke on behalf of the traditional rulers said Covid 19 is a universal pandemic but we are very lucky not to have recorded any case in the state, adding that, the ripple effects cannot be removed without the commitment of the state government
He commended the state government for the steps taken so far to cushion the effects of the pandemic and used the opportunity to appeal to the govt to religiously pursue and adhere to the projects as outlined for the overall benefit of the state
Princess Funsho Sumanu
(Public Relations Officer)
