We are not in Ondo to Witch-hunt – Officials
The Ondo State government has praised the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery And Economic Stimulus Program, NG-CARES, initiative, describing its framework as the most effective among social protection programmes in Nigeria.
The Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Dr. Emmanuel Igbasan made these remarks while hosting the Independent Verification Agents (IVA), who were in the state on a verification exercise of the results achieved under the NG-CARES Programme.
In his address, the Commissioner commended the Federal Government, the World Bank, and the Governors’ Forum for conceiving the NG-CARES programme.
He highlighted its far-reaching impact on the poor and the vulnerable and its success in delivering life-changing initiatives across the state.
“NG-CARES is designed with robust safeguards and an embedded monitoring mechanism that make it unique and its outcomes verifiable,” he stated.
“This program played a significant role in the Governor’s landslide victory during the last governorship election.
Through the Community Driven Development (CDD) approach, micro-projects have reached many challenging terrains that conventional government projects couldn’t reach.
Similarly, FADAMA projects have equally extended into previously inaccessible farms. These achievements stand as lasting testaments to the programme’s transformative impact on the lives of the people.”
Dr. Igbasan further emphasized the state’s commitment to sustaining the program’s achievements. “Our plan is to continue leveraging the NG-CARES template even after funding from the World Bank for the programme would have ceased,” he assured.
Earlier, the leader of the Verification Team, Dr. Olanrewaju Ariyo, pledged transparency and fairness in their assessment.
“We are not here to witch-hunt. Our mission is to ascertain the authenticity of claims made by the programme Delivery Platforms,” Dr. Ariyo said.
The meeting also had in attendance the Administrative Secretary of the Economic Planning and Coordinating Office, Mr. Bamidele Daisi, as well as Heads and staff of the Delivery Platforms.
