Date: 2021-09-25

The Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has released fund for screening, validating and selecting the Phase One (Seven Thousand, Eight-hundred and Seventy-eight - 7,878) potential beneficiaries of the Fadama NG-CARES (Nigeria Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus.

The fund will also be used for the preparation of Community Action Recovery Plans (CARPs) for the the Community Farmers' Associations in the Local Government Areas concerned.

The State Project Coordinator, Kwara State Fadama NG-CARES Coordination Office, Engr. Dr. Busari Toyin Isiaka, disclosed this in his office today, 24 September, 2021, while commenting on the level of progress the Fadama NG-CARES platform has made so far through the efforts of Governor AbdulRazaq.

Busari said that this batch of fund by the State Government in respect of the Fadama NG-CARES project is not the first, noting that the earlier fund released by the Governor was used to carry out project preparatory activities which included sensitisation of stakeholders across the sixteen LGAs through visit, press releases, and radio jingles in five languages.

"The platform also used the fund to carry out Preliminary Participatory Rural Appraisal (PPRA), train Community Facilitators on the preparation of CARPs, hold a pre-bid conference for Service Providers on community-based procurement, repair two (2 Nos) decrepit Hilux Vehicles, overhaul 1 No 30 KVA Diesel Generator, rehabilitate three (3 Nos) blocks of office accommodation and maintain office runnings and operations", he explained.

While assuring the Governor and the people of the State of judicious use of the fund, Busari stated that it is now clear that the Kwara State Government is tremendously committed to cushioning the effects the Covid-19 pandemic has caused on the people especially the poor and vulnerable in the State.

He declared that the Fadama NG-CARES project is an agricultural intervention meant to give stimulus to the target people.

He then applauded the wonderful gesture of Governor AbdulRazaq to the yearnings of the people of the State, saying that with the pace the Governor is performing, the State will continue to be laden with life-changing projects.

Appreciating the Government for the release of fund, the State Project Coordinator noted, "For this and the earlier funds released for the preparatory activities; screening, validation, and selection of the first phase of potential beneficiaries; and preparation of CARPs, kudos to the Governor. This shows that His Excellency is actively alive to the project and he will not want it to fail. His body language is promising that the objectives of increasing food security and safe functioning of food supply chains will be accomplished", he said.

Busari also commended the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Saba Yisa Gideon, and the Permanent Secretary, Hajia Nurudeen Mohammed. They are always working assiduously to support the implementation of the project, stressing that the efforts of the duo regarding the approval cannot be underplayed.

"My Honourable Commissioner and the Permanent Secretary have to be appreciated. They always work diligently to towards accomplishing the goals of the project", the Coordinator revealed.

Dr. Sangodare Ayinla,

Project Communications Officer,

Kwara Fadama NG-CARES Coordination Office

24/9/2021