Edo approves micro infrastructure projects in communities

Edo State government has given the nod for the setting up of micro infrastructure projects in 16 communities in 11 local government areas of the state

Speaking at the presentation of awards for the execution of the projects to the communities, the Edo State Coordinator, Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA) and Permanent Secretary, Edo Ministry of Youths and Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs. Ifueko Alufohai, who disclosed this in Benin city said the aimed at rendering support to communities and vulnerable groups in the wake of the impact of the third wave of COVID-19 pandemic.

The coordinator explained that the NG-CARES, which is domesticated in Edo State and codenamed Edo-CARES, is an emergency relief World Bank funded programme set up to ameliorate the effect of COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.

She said: “The programme is focused on increasing cash transfers and livelihood support to the poor and vulnerable households, increasing food security and safe functioning of food supply chains and prevent collapse/facilitating the recovery of households/micro-enterprises.”

Alufohai noted that the programme was in line with the state government’s drive to protect the livelihood of several families while dealing with the fallout of the pandemic, which he said came at a time when the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is destabilising the living conditions of various households and the national economy.

“I urge the benefiting communities and members of these communities to apply themselves dutifully to their assigned roles so as to make the maximum benefit from the intervention,” she added.

The Director-General of Edo CSDA, Osarume Osazuwa, said that the beneficiaries satisfied all requirements of community-driven development as stipulated in the general operations manual and had been trained to implement their respective micro projects.

The Enogie of Ofumegbe in Oredo Local Government Area, Chief Anthony Osagie, commended Governor Godwin Obaseki for the initiative which allows communities to own and execute their projects.