…Empowers 573, 429 Farmers, Entrepreneurs, Others
Gombe State has taken another major step towards alleviating poverty and supporting the state’s vulnerable populations as the 4th phase GO-CARES programme was officially flagged off by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
The Governor, while inaugurating the disbursement in Akko community of Akko Local Government Area on Tuesday, restated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of vulnerable citizens in the state.
He was represented by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Salihu Baba Alkali, who is also the Chairman of the Steering Committee on Go- Cares implementation.
He pointed out that “the 4th phase of GO-CARES will directly and indirectly impact a total of 573,429 people across the state. Of these, 152,429 individuals will benefit directly through cash transfers, livelihood grants, agricultural inputs, and operational grants to small businesses, while 421,000 people will be indirect beneficiaries through infrastructural projects such as classroom blocks, healthcare facilities, WASH services, and rural infrastructure projects like culverts and drainages”.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya, through his representative, reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the state’s most vulnerable citizens are not left behind in the state’s development.
“Earlier this year, on June 25, 2024, we flagged off the distribution of improved seedlings, fertilizers, and herbicides to less privileged farmers in Malam Sidi, Kwami Local Government Area, signaling the commencement of the 4th phase implementation of GO-CARES under Result Area 2”.
The Governor reiterated that these initiatives have had a significant impact on the livelihoods of beneficiaries and the overall agricultural sector.
“Today’s ceremony marked the simultaneous launch of activities under all three GO-CARES Result Areas for the 4th phase. These areas include:
State Cash Transfer Grants: 2,500 direct beneficiaries
Labour Intensive Public Works: 2,700 direct beneficiaries
Livelihood Grants: 10,000 direct beneficiaries
Basic Services: 405,000 indirect beneficiaries
Agricultural Inputs and Services: 125,729 direct beneficiaries
Rural Infrastructure: 16,000 indirect beneficiaries
Agricultural Assets: 9,000 direct beneficiaries
Operational Grants to Nano, Micro, and Small Businesses: 1,300 direct beneficiaries
IT Enhancement Grants for ICT Enterprises: 700 direct beneficiaries
Governor Inuwa Yahaya emphasized that the goal of these interventions is to accelerate the economic development of Gombe State by supporting small enterprises, enhancing IT penetration, and improving agricultural productivity.
“In addition, 305 communities across the 11 LGAs would benefit from the community development projects like classroom blocks, health care facilities, WASH facilities under Basic Services and construction or rehabilitation of earth dams, culvert and drainages under the Rural Infrastructure component of the programme”.
He called on beneficiaries to make the most of the support they have received, stressing that the effective use of these resources will significantly reduce poverty and contribute to the overall prosperity of the state.
The Emir of Gona, His Royal Highness, Abdulkadir Abdulsalam thanked commended Governor Inuwa for always supporting the poor and vulnerable, adding that with such support, more persons would be empowered out of poverty.
