By Salisu Sani-Idris

The National Assembly has reaffirmed its strong support for the Nigeria
Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES)
Programme.
The Information and Communications Officer of NG-CARES, Malam Suleiman Odapu, in a statement, said Mr Abubakar Kusada, Chairman, House Committee on NG-CARES, declared the support during a stakeholder’s meeting held in Abuja.
Kusada also described the programme as a lifeline for poor communities and a vital
instrument for building resilience among vulnerable Nigerians.
The lawmaker also reaffirmed the legislature’s commitment
to supporting
NG
CARES, stressing that oversight visits to states will form
part of the
partnership between the Legislature and the Executive to deliver on poverty
alleviation.
He emphasised that “no community should be left out” in the
ongoing efforts to cushion vulnerable households and businesses from
economic shocks.
According to him, NG-CARES is more than a programme, it is a lifeline. It is
about families regaining their dignity, businesses
reopening
doors of
opportunity and rebuilding communities for a sustainable
future.
” NG-CARES
stands as one of the most ambitious and people-focused initiatives, reaching
households, businesses, and communities across the 36 states and the FCT, ” he said.

The representive of World Bank, Prof. Foluso Okunmadewa, commended the
legislature’s involvement, noting that it was an encouraging sign of ownership
and sustainability.
” The legislature’s active participation gives confidence that
NG-CARES will endure as a national instrument for poverty alleviation and
resilience, even beyond donor support,” he stated.

The National Coordinator of NG-CARES, Dr Abdulkarim
Obaje, expressed appreciation to the Speaker of the House of Representatives,Tajudeen Abbas, for establishing the Committee on NG-CARES.
He stated that the establishment of the committee was a step towards complementing the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
According to him, the agenda emphasizes inchusive growth and development,
especially for the poor and vulnerable.
Present at the event were the Commissioners for Budget and
Planning from Cross River, Kebbi, Sokot0, Gombe, Ebonyi, Bauchi and
Nasarawa States.
The NG-CARES programme is a World Bank-assisted programme designed to
expand access to livelihood support and food securitv services, as well as
grants for poor and vulnerable households.
It is implemented across the 36 states and the FCT and it leverages existing government structures to deliver results for
Communities in need. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)