Kogi State Government has taken its poverty alleviation and livelihood empowerment programme to Mopamuro Local Government Area through the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Empowerment (NG-CARE) initiative.
Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, who unveiled the intervention during a stakeholders’ meeting in Mopamuro, said the programme was designed to provide direct support to poor and vulnerable households while creating opportunities for sustainable economic empowerment at the grassroots.
Fanwo explained that beneficiaries would access various interventions, including cash transfers, public works opportunities, Livelihood Support Grants and agricultural inputs for farmers.
He added that communities would also have the opportunity to identify priority infrastructure projects for implementation under the programme.
According to him, the intervention reflects Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s commitment to ensuring that government policies and programmes have a direct impact on ordinary citizens, particularly vulnerable households.
‘NG-CARE is about taking development directly to the people. It is about supporting vulnerable households, creating opportunities and giving communities a voice in determining the infrastructure they need,’ Fanwo said.
He stressed that the programme should not be politicised, noting that poverty and hunger affect people irrespective of their political affiliations.
‘Anybody who qualifies for this intervention should have access to it, irrespective of political affiliation.
This is about the people, and Governor Ododo is committed to ensuring that government reaches those who need support most,’ he added.
The Commissioner urged beneficiaries to make productive use of the opportunities provided through the programme and transform the assistance into sustainable sources of income.
He also charged community leaders and NG-CARE coordinators to ensure transparency, fairness and accountability throughout the implementation process.
The meeting was attended by the Executive Chairman of Mopamuro Local Government Area, Hon. Ademola Bello; Member representing Mopamuro State Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Olawumi Jacob; Special Adviser to the Governor on Culture and Integration, Hon. Moses Sunday David; community leaders, stakeholders and NG-CARE coordinators from across the local government.