Bayelsa Government says it has disbursed about N13.8 billion to vulnerable households and beneficiaries under its Bayelsa-Cares project across the eight local councils in the state.
The State Focal Person of Bayelsa-Cares Project, Mr Timipre Seipulou, told newsmen on Friday in Yenagoa that the aim was to boost the economic recovery initiative of the residents.
He stated that 466,732 persons had benefited from the programme directly, adding that the programme had provided an alternative source of monthly income, food to the average families.
According to him, the project had also helped to boost agriculture, support safe hygiene, and improve infrastructures in the rural communities through local and indigenous contractors.
He explained that the Bayelsa -Cares programme was a response to cushion the effects of the 2019 global Covid Pandemic, when the economies around the world were greatly affected.
Seipulou added that the scheme targeted aged people from 55 years, including those affected by floods and a few who were disabled in order to return them to meaningful means of livelihood.
He said: “Truly, the Pandemic caused social unrest across the globe, Nigeria and Bayelsa State were not spared.
“The Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES), was therefore, the immediate response of the state in collaboration with the Federal Government to manage the hardship caused by the pandemic.
“The response was to impact the livelihoods of poor individuals, farmers, vulnerable households, communities and owners of micro and small enterprises.
“Governor Douye Diri’s administration has put in all resources to see the programme succeed by getting to the rural communities.
“The programme is divided into three main Result Areas (RAs), namely: Social Protection, Agriculture and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
He said the programme started in January, 2022 with a total annual budget of US$20 million for a duration of two years.
According to him, as at October, 2024, about N16.8 billion has been released for the programme while the sum of N13.8 billion has been disbursed to the beneficiaries in the 8 selected areas to 466,732 direct beneficiaries.
“Over one million people have benefited indirectly in almost every community in Bayelsa State.
“Over 10,000 persons have benefited from the Social Transfer package of N10,000 monthly.
“Beneficiaries of the programme are sourced from the State Social Registers managed by the State Operations Coordination Unit (SOCU) of National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO).
“Under the Labour and Public Works, 3,289 Unemployed youths across 165 communities have been paid the sum of N15,000 monthly from June 2022.
” Livelihood Grants unit has given 3,301 beneficiaries in 330 communities with a payment of N70,000 to N100,000.00 to help lift them above the poverty line.
“440 Community Development Projects are being built in 220 communities across the eight local government areas with two projects in each of the 220 selected communities.
“Such projects under this scheme, include school buildings, staff quarters, health centres, water
He said about N480 million had been spent on the completion of 18 roads of different length from 150 metres to 250 metres in 18 different communities. (NAN).
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