Governor Udom Emmanuel has stressed the need to identify the gaps that could hinder smooth implementation as the Nigeria Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus, NG-CARES programme is about to be launched in states in the country.
The Governor made the observation when he played host to a team from the Federal Government NG-CARES programme at the government house Uyo.
The team was in Akwa Ibom to assess the level of preparedness with a view to hastening the process of launching the programme in the state.
Governor Emmanuel who welcomed the team to Akwa Ibom, tasked them to match value with money in the course of implementing the programme.
He expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and other international financing partners for their support, giving assurances of the state’s readiness to work with them for the success of the NG-CARES programme in Akwa Ibom.
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The team leader of NG-CARES, Dr Martina Nwodu applauded Governor Emmanuel for his commitment so far which she noted, has made the Akwa Ibom scale through what she described as the stringent readiness assessment stage of the programme.
Dr Nwodu informed the governor that the first trench of 900 million naira has been released to the state out of the 20 million US Dollars due to Akwa Ibom from the World Bank and other partners as part of the Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus programme.
She said from all indications, Akwa Ibom was ready for the formal disbursement of allocated funds slated for September this year.
The team later held a technical session with critical stakeholders, including the Secretary to State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem who chaired the state Covid-19 Management Committee, the steering committee of Akwa Ibom Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus, AK-CARES and other key players led by the Commissioner for Economic Development, Mr Emem Bob whose ministry is monitoring the programme.
