The Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has commended the NG-CARES Programme for its significant contributions to poverty reduction, economic growth, and social development in the state.
The Governor gave the commendation on recently , while declaring open the NG-CARES South-South Zonal Independent Verification Agents (IVAs) Performance Review Meeting held at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu, Governor Oborevwori expressed delight at the programme’s achievements, stating that it had reached 306,177 direct beneficiaries and over 1.2 million indirect beneficiaries across Delta State.
“As one of our flagship programmes, NG-CARES has significantly impacted the lives of our citizens. In Delta, we have recorded 306,177 direct beneficiaries and more than 1,200,000 indirect beneficiaries”,he stated.
Looking to the future, the Governor expressed optimism that the next phase—NG-CARES 2.0—would reach even more people through a Community Action Approach, which places communities at the centre of planning and implementation.
“By putting communities at the heart of decision-making, NG-CARES will deliver deeper impact, stronger accountability, and sustainable development at the grassroots”,he said.
Governor Oborevwori emphasized that the programme aligns with his administration’s M.O.R.E. Agenda, which focuses on opportunity creation, social welfare, and inclusiveness.
He also noted the programme’s effectiveness in cushioning economic shocks and providing support for households, farmers, and small businesses.
In addition, he highlighted complementary state-led initiatives, including the Widows’ Welfare Scheme, which provides financial support and healthcare to 10,000 widows across Delta, and the MORE Grant Scheme, through which 5,000 women entrepreneurs have received funding to expand their businesses.
“I want to thank the World Bank Task Team Leader, Mr. Lire Ersado, the National Coordinator, Dr. Abdulkarim Obaje, and the Federal CARES Support Unit for their dedication. To our brothers and sisters from the South-South states, this meeting provides a great opportunity to share experiences and strengthen implementation”,the Governor said.
Speaking on behalf of the National Coordinator of NG-CARES, Dr. Abdulkarim Obaje, Alhaji Afiku Abubakar explained that the programme was initiated by the Federal Government in collaboration with the World Bank to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable populations. He stated that the IVA Performance Review Report would serve as a guide for the next phase of implementation.
Earlier in her welcome address, Delta State Coordinator of NG-CARES, Lady Patience Ogbewe, stressed the importance of the review meeting, noting that its outcomes would shape the planning and delivery of NG-CARES 2.0.
Also speaking at the event, World Bank Task Team Leader, Dr. Lire Ersado, described NG-CARES as a state-led initiative backed by strong financial commitments from participating states. He disclosed that while the World Bank had provided a $700 million loan, states had jointly contributed $2.2 billion to sustain the programme.
He commended the Delta State Government for its commitment and expressed confidence that the IVA Performance Review Meeting would help strengthen implementation and deliver greater support to vulnerable populations.
