97000 DELTANS BENEFIT FROM WORLD BANK ASSISTED PROGRAMME 17-09-24
By Sadiq Aminu Over ninety seven thousand persons in Delta State have benefited from the fourth phase disbursement of the State Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus, Delta-CARES, held in Asaba.
The beneficiaries who received various grants ranging from twenty thousand naira to twenty million naira, include petty traders, artisans, and farmer groups across the twenty five local government areas of the state.
Group farmers received farm inputs including fertilizer.
At the ceremony, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori said the gesture in D- CARES was in furtherance of his administration’s desire to meet the component of inclusiveness of “Opportunities for All” in the MORE Agenda.
The Governor said the ninety seven thousand,three hundred and sixty and sixty five beneficiaries brought the grand sum of beneficiaries of D- CARES to over two hundred and eight thousand.
The Delta State Governor said his administration was determined to ensure that residents of the state do not unduly suffer from the economic hardship bedeviling the country.
He said: “As an administration, we seek to create avenues for every Deltan, regardless of their background or political affiliation, to access opportunities that will expand their enterprises, enable them to create wealth, improve their living conditions, and contribute to the overall socio-economic development of our state.
“We want to make sure that our people don’t suffer; so, as governor for all Deltans, we will continue to do more for all Deltans without any sentiments.
“This is not just a continuation of this initiative, but also a testament to our administration’s determination to build a state where every citizen has a sense of belonging.
“It is gratifying to note that the Delta CARES Programme has touched lives, provided critical support to households and small businesses. Their stories of resilience and renewal continue to inspire the work we do.
“From grants to small businesses, to providing support for poor and vulnerable households, we are delivering real change, and it is our hope that this intervention will increase and create ripples of development across Delta State as we continue to do MORE for our people.
“Use it to grow, to invest, and to uplift those around you. You are part of the collective effort to move Delta State forward, and, together, we will achieve greatness.”
Delta State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Chairman State CARES Steering Committee, Mr Sonny Ekedayen, said DELTA-CARES was a World Bank project in partnership with the Nigeria: Community Action (for) Resilience and Economic Stimulus Programme NG-CARES.
Ekedayen, while commending Governor Oborevwori for the massive increase in number of beneficiaries, said 97,365 Deltans, across six delivery platforms comprising State Cash Transfer Unit, 9,845; Labour Intensive Public Workfare Unit 10,000; Livelihood Support Unit 7,000; Community Driven Development Social Implementation Unit (CDDSIU) 60,000 (60 micro-projects) benefited under result area 1.
He added that 6,020 benefited through the State FADAMA Coordination project under result area 2, while 4,500 benefited through Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Development under result area 3, thus bringing the total beneficiaries under 4th tranche to 97,365, while overall total beneficiaries now stood at 208,209.