Akwa Ibom State Government has procured office equipment for the smooth running of Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NCARES) programme in the State.
The event took place, Tuesday 9th February 2021, in the conference room of the Ministry of Economic Development and Ibom Deep, Uyo.
Giving an overview of the NCARES, the State Focal Person and Chairman of the Steering Committee, Mr. Akan Okon, explained that the programme was designed to ensure food security and provide livelihood support to vulnerable families.
Mr. Okon who is the Commissioner Ministry of Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport added that the programme is a World Bank intervention initiative to facilitate the recovery of economic activities affected by the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to him, the programme will ameliorate the impact of COVID-19, particularly the Small and Medium Scale sectors as well as agriculture.
He expressed appreciation to Governor Udom Emmanuel for his passion for his people, saying the Governor has explored every opportunity to better the lot of the people.
In the area of Agriculture, the Commissioner asserted that Akwa Ibom is blessed with fertile soil where almost every crop can grow.
He noted that the State government has provided farmers with adequate equipment and improved seedlings for farming business.
The Chairman, commended members of the State CARES Steering Committee for their commitments in making sure that Akwa Ibom is among the few states that are eligible to benefit from the programme.
Highpoint of the event was the presentation of the equipment which include, laptop computers, desktop computers, printers, office chairs/ tables, generators, photocopier, smart TV sets to the various NCARES implementing platforms.
The implementing platforms in Akwa Ibom State are, State CARES Coordinating Office (Ministry of Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport), Akwa Ibom State Agency for Community and Social Development, FADAMA, State Cash Transfer Unit ( Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare).
Others are, Akwa Ibom Road and Other Infrastructure Maintenance Agency (Ministry of Environment) and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises ( Ministry of Trade and Investment).
The items were received by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Glory Edet, that of Finance, Mr. Linus Nkan, Trade and Investment, Prince Ukpong Akpabio, Chairman AKROIMA, Prince Godwin Ntuk-udeh, Programme Coordinator for FADAMA, Mr. Richard Sam, and Head of Unit, State Cash Transfer, Mrs. Christiana Akpan.
They thanked the Government of Akwa Ibom State and the World Bank for providing them with the necessary working tools that would aid in the smooth delivery of the task ahead.