Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, on Wednesday, commended the Delta COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (D-CARES) programme team for increasing its direct beneficiaries from 36,353 to 110,841.

Mr Oborevwori, in a town hall meeting with D-CARES beneficiaries at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, said the increase depicted an increase of approximately 205 per cent.

He said he was happy to hear about the heart-warming and success stories of the beneficiaries and the positive impact the activities of the D-CARES programme were having on them.

“Upon my assumption of office as governor, and in line with the MORE Agenda, we commenced the implementation of a blueprint that will provide more access to opportunities by Deltans, irrespective of their socio-economic status.

“Consequently, I approved the release of funds to support the activities of the D-CARES programme across the various delivery platforms.

“I am, therefore, very pleased to see this large number of happy Deltans whose lives and businesses have been positively impacted.

“Scaling up the number of direct beneficiaries from 36,353 to 110,841, an increase of approximately 205 per cent, in just about 10 months, is, indeed, a commendable achievement,” he said.

He praised the entire D-CARES team for putting the people first in their assignments, urging them not to rest on their oars.

“As you know, the reward for hard work is more work.

“The current economic situation in our country has made it imperative for us to be supportive of one another.

“I charge you to enlist more Deltans and businesses so that more of our people can enjoy economic stability,” he said.

Congratulating the beneficiaries, Mr Oborevwori said he hoped and prayed they would seize the opportunity provided by the programme to chart new paths leading to economic freedom for them and their families.

Sony Ekedayen, commissioner for economic planning, and chairman, state CARES steering committee, acknowledged the programme’s achievements.

According to him, the success stories testify to the governor’s commitment to improving the lives and economic fortunes of the poor and vulnerable persons in the state.

“As aptly represented by the letter ‘O’, which means Opportunity for all in his MORE Agenda for Deltans, the D-CARES programme was designed to focus on three key result areas.

The first, he says, is increasing social transfers, basic services and livelihood support to poor and vulnerable households.

“The second area is increasing food security and the safe functioning of food supply chains to poor households, while the third is facilitating recovery and enhancing the capacities of micro and small-scale entrepreneurs,” he said.

Dr Patience Ogbewe, secretary of the state CARES steering committee and state coordinator, D-CARES Programme, noted that while COVID-19 had come and gone, it left some challenges to grapple with.

She said the town hall meeting was apt and appreciated the governor for his unwavering support for the success of the programme.

(NAN)