April 17, (THEWILL) – The Benue State Government has released over N1.5 billion to facilitate the implementation of the COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Programme, B-CARES, in the state.
Governor Samuel Ortom made this known on Thursday while launching the commencement of the programme which featured distribution of cheques to beneficiaries held at Government House, Makurdi.
The governor stated that beneficiaries of the programme, who have been categorised into delivery platforms include the State CARES Coordinating Unit, Community and Social Development Agency, Fadama, the Ministry of Industry and Cooperatives and the Cash Transfer Unit.
Giving a breakdown of the disbursement of the fund to beneficiaries, the governor said the CARES Coordinating unit would take N155.9 million, CSDA N135.4 million, FADAMA N414.7 million, Ministry of Industry and Cooperatives N277.1 million and the state cash transfer unit taking N115.4 million.
Ortom stated that the aim of the B-Cares programme was to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the indigenes through grants for poor and vulnerable households as well as micro, small and medium enterprises.
According to him, the programme was in line with the 10-year development plan of his administration to show commitment to the welfare, social protection and economic wellbeing of Benue indigenes.
In his remarks, the chairman of B-Cares Implementation Steering Committee who is also the Commissioner of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr David Olofu, said the process for the B-Cares programme started in 2020 when the budgets suffered severe shocks and dislocation due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
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