The Katsina state government has disbursed cash grants, farm implements and inputs worth over N1,719 billion to 148,000 most vulnerable and poor families in the state.
In a statement on Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, the funds and farm implements were disbursed under the second tranch of the Katsina state COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus programme.
Among the farm implements distributed by the government are; ruminant goats, power tiller, groundnut oil extraction machines, breeds of chickens and fish among others. The disbursement took place at the local Government Service Commission of the state.
Governor Radda who launched the programme, said among the 148, 000 men and women who benefitted from the scheme include 6,100 who were selected from 20 local governments. Each of them would get N50,000 each, he said.
According to Governor Radda, 43 village areas from across the 34 local governments of the state would receive N12 million each as grants for the execution of community development projects. He said the projects will include water supply, renovations of schools and healthcare centers depending on their needs.
Governor Radda added that 1,170 farmers were selected to receive farm inputs and implements worth N142 million. This he said was in addition to another set of 12,250 farmers also selected to receive goats, species of fish and some implements worth over N763 million to boost their income.
He added that the government has recently approved another N500 million to support the implementation of its programme in the state.
He said another N145 million was also approved by his administration for the Community and Social Development Agency, CSDA, towards implementation of the livelihood and support to eight local governments not captured among some of the beneficiaries of the KT CARES programme.
Mallam Radda urged the managers of the programme to ensure its successful implementation.
He emphasized his determination to ensure government support reached the rural communities who constitute about 80 percent of the electorates in the state
Earlier in his address the Chairman Steering Committee who is also the state Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Bello Kagara appreciated the firm commitment of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda for driving the economy of the state.
On his part, the National Coordinator of the NG-Care programme who spoke through the State Coordinator, Alhaji Shuaibu Aliyu, lauded Governor Dikko Radda for his giant steps in kicking poverty out of the boundaries of the state through implementing the disbursement of NG CARE programmes.
Professor of Agricultural Geography, Professor Ibrahim Yusuf El Ladan spoke at length on guidelines on safe and sustainable utilization of the grants and assets under the NG-CARE
Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Katsina State.
December 12th 2023
