D-CARES: Oborevwori Charge Beneficiaries to Chart New Path to Economic Freedom

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sherrif Oborevwori has charged the beneficiaries of the Delta COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (D-CARES) programme to chart a new path that will lead to economic freedom for themselves and families.

The charge was given yesterday, at a town hall meeting between Governor Oborevwori s and D-Cares beneficiaries, at Asaba.

Oborevwori said that the implementation of the D-Cares programme was in line with his administration’s MORE Agenda that would provide Deltans with opportunities , irrespective of their socio-economic status.

Expressing satisfaction at the positive impact of the programme on the lives of the people, he noted that the number of direct beneficiaries have been upscaled from 36,353 to 110,841 status.

“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.

“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.” He said.

Earlier, the Chairman State Cares Steering Committee (DCARES) and State Commissioner of Economic planning, Mr Sunny Ekedayen described the meeting as an opportunity to display the achievements of the programme under the Oborevwori led administration.

He stated that the number of beneficiaries reached has placed Delta State 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.

Appreciating D-CARES team for their support to the programme, Ekedayen thanked the Governor for his commitment towards improving the lives and economic fortunes of the poor and vulnerable persons in the State.

His words “As you are already aware, The Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) Program is a World Bank-assisted initiative borne out of the need to support the efforts of State Governments in providing the much-needed assistance to cushion the economic effects of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic on its citizens. The programme is being implemented across the 36 States of the Federation including the FCT.

“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.

“The D- CARES Program by design, focuses on three key result areas namely;

“ Results Area 1: this focuses on Increasing Social Transfers, Basic Services, and Livelihood Support to poor and vulnerable households;

“ Results Area 2: deals with Increasing Food Security and Safe Functioning of Food Supply Chains for poor households; and

“Result Area 3: is aimed at facilitating Recovery and Enhancing Capabilities of Micro & Small Enterprises.

“For practicality and impact, the above key result areas were further categorized under the following actionable platforms ;

“a. Social transfers through payment of stipends to the Aged, chronically ill, Urban Poor and Persons with Special Needs.

“b. Payment of stipends to poor and vulnerable youths engaged in labour intensive public works across communities in the State;

“C. Provision of grants to support poor & vulnerable youths and women engaged in household enterprises/businesses;

“d. 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;

“e. Provision of agricultural inputs and assets to farmers across the State to promote food security and supply chain; and lastly,

“f. Disbursement of Operational Support Grants to Micro and Small Enterprises owners across the State.”