The number of Deltans that have benefited from the Delta COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (D-CARES) Programme has increased to 110, 841 against the initial 36,353 beneficiaries.
The State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, said the increase shows 205 per cent of the aforementioned record of 36, 353 Beneficiaries.
Speaking at a town hall meeting on Wednesday 22 May 2024, at Unity Hall, venue of the event, the governor expressed satisfaction at the performance of those in charge of the programme.
He called on the beneficiaries to take advantage of the programme to better their lots and that of their families and the society at large.
Hear him: “Upon assumption of office as Governor, and in line with the MORE Agenda, we commenced the implementation of a blueprint that will provide more access to opportunities by Deltans, irrespective of their socio-economic status.
“Consequently, I approved the release of funds to support the activities of the D-CARES programme across the various delivery platforms. I am, therefore, very pleased to see this large number of happy Deltans whose lives and businesses have been positively impacted.
“Scaling up the number of direct beneficiaries from 36,353 to 110,841, an increase of approximately 205%, in just about ten months, is, indeed, a commendable achievement.
“I, therefore, salute the entire D-CARES team for putting the people first in their assignments. However, as you know, ‘’ the reward for hard work is more work‘’ and as such, I enjoin the D-CARES team not to rest on theirs oars.
“The current economic situation in our country has made it imperative for us to be supportive of one another. I charge you, therefore, to enlist more Deltans and businesses so that more of our people can enjoy economic stability.
“To our dear beneficiaries, I congratulate you all. It is my hope and prayer that you will seize this opportunity provided by the programme to chart a new path that will lead to economic freedom for yourselves and your families.”
The programme, designed by the Nigeria Governors Forum in conjunction with the federal government and the World Bank, was for poverty alleviation, especially among the teeming youth who constitute greatest percentage of state population and made more vulnerable by the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman, State Cares Steering Committee cum Commissioner for Economic Planning, Sonny Akporokoamo Ekedayen, disclosed that the D-CARES Program by design, focuses on three key result areas.
According to him, the three key areas focuses on Increasing Social Transfers, Basic Services, and Livelihood Support to poor and vulnerable households, Increasing Food Security and Safe Functioning of Food Supply Chains for poor households; and aimed at facilitating Recovery and Enhancing Capabilities of Micro & Small Enterprises which are result areas 1-3.
He said for practicality and impact, the above key result areas were further categorized under the following actionable platforms, “Social transfers through payment of stipends to the Aged, chronically ill, Urban Poor and Persons with Special Needs.
“Payment of stipends to poor and vulnerable youths engaged in labour intensive public works across communities in the State;.
“Provision of grants to support poor & vulnerable youths and women engaged in household enterprises/businesses.
“Provision of funds to communities for the construction and/or rehabilitation of basic social infrastructure such as boreholes, toilets, ICT centres, classroom blocks, health care centres and town halls, among others.
“Provision of agricultural inputs and assets to farmers across the State to promote food security and supply chain; and lastly,
“Disbursement of Operational Support Grants to Micro and Small Enterprises owners across the State.
“The program had since grown beyond its original concept of addressing the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and has now metamorphosed into a platform for addressing other economic shocks and displacements with severe socio-economic ramifications as well.
“At the inception of the present administration, the State Government through the D-CARES program had provided support to 36,353 direct beneficiaries. I am however, very pleased to inform all our distinguished guests that in the last 10 months, this figure has increased exponentially by 74,488 to a total of 110,841 persons, representing an increase of approximately 205%.
“This result, you will agree with me, is a true testament to the commitment of His Excellency, the Governor, towards improving the lives and economic fortunes of the poor and vulnerable persons in Delta State as aptly represented by the letter “O” in the MORE Agenda of “Opportunities for All “.
“It may also interest you to note that D-CARES assistance is a Program for Results (PforR) intervention which is designed to replenish resources expended in order to sustain the programme’s implementation.
“The number of beneficiaries reached therefore, places States in a good stead to get cash replenishment from the World Bank for further deployment to targeted poor, vulnerable and economically disadvantaged persons in the State”, he stated.
In her welcome address, the State Coordinator, D-CARES, Lady Dr. Patience Ogbewe, revealed that the
The Delta COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Program has been on board the development initiative of Government since April/May 2020 when the FG keyed into the program as Nigeria CARES (NG CARES), adding that it became effective September 28th 2021.
She disclosed further that the “NG-CARES Program is a World Bank-Assisted initiative borne out of the need to assist Governments in providing succor to its citizens in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.
“States were given the prerogative of domesticating the program. Thus in Delta State, the NG-CARES program is titled D-CARES (Delta CARES).
“The program as designed, is being implemented in the State by six (6) Delivery Platforms domiciled in key MDAs by Technical Heads and supervised by the Hon Commissioner for Economic Planning/Chairman State CARES Steering Committee (SCSC).
“The coordination mechanism is domiciled in the State CARES Coordinating Unit (SCCU), Ministry of Economic Planning. COVID-19 has come and gone but the challenges it posed are still being felt coupled with other prevalent shocks such as inflation, unemployment environmental.
“The CARES Program is therefore a vital intervention dedicated to support our most vulnerable individuals and community members. In the process of implementing the D-CARES Program, we have embarked on a journey of hope, empowerment and transformation.
“We have endeavored to address the complete needs of our Vulnerable population which include economic opportunities, access to healthcare, education, water and sanitation and of course food and security.
“To the D-CARES beneficiaries I want to acknowledge your strength and resilience in the face of adversity. We recognize that life presented you with challenges, but in NG-CARES/D-CARES we believe in your potential and worth which this program was designed to enhance and has done thus far.
“This town hall meeting is apt and we in D-CARES are thankful to His Excellency the Governor, for His unwavering support towards the success of the program in the State. We celebrate your Excellency as you mark one year in office.
“Your Excellency, the need to interact with the people whose lives your Government has touched and is still touching cannot be overemphasized.
“In our midst among these beneficiaries here seated are persons whose hopes have been revived, lives renewed, whose businesses have been strengthened and revamped as a result of your wonderful and kind support to the D-CARES intervention in the State”, she added.
Some of the beneficiaries testified of the impact of the programme in their lives just as the appealed to the State governor to allow the programme to continue.
