From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi State Government disclosed that about 613 firms had received operational support grants from the state government.
Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Abba Sani Kalgo, stated this while briefing newsmen on the activities of his ministry under the administration of Gov Nasir Idris.
He said the Ministry of Budget also facilitated the coordination of World Bank supported programmes including the coordination of the NG-CARES programme for results tagged, ‘Kaura Cares’ under four major platforms.
“This money was further released to continue the programme implementation during which beneficiaries were given access to livelihood support, food security intervention, and grants for poor and vulnerable households, as well as grants for small and medium enterprises.
“In terms of figures, 1,950 persons benefited from the state social funds transfer, comprising 1,077 males and 873 females. The number of beneficiary farmers who received agricultural assets, inputs and fishery supports were in excess of 27,000.
“Numerous beneficiaries benefited from the livelihood support grants from the (CSDA) just as 613 firms received operational support grants of which 453 were male-led firms, while 160 were female-led.
“In terms of infrastructural development under the CARES programme, 23 feeder roads were constructed with a total length of 79.2km just as 29 wet markets were also constructed. Micro projects, comprising 29 community clinics, and 24 water and sanitation projects, were all undertaken under the programme.
“The Kaura Cares programme also rehabilitated 45 education projects and intervened in over 40 flood/erosion control projects. More than over 153,000 beneficiaries benefitted from the community infrastructural support. As part of the CARES programme, Kebbi was among the top performing states in the latest round of results after the verification exercise.”