Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda on Wednesday inaugurated the disbursement of the second tranche of over N1.7 billion support to vulnerable people across the state.

Speaking at the event in Katsina, Mr Radda said that the intervention was part of the state’s COVID-19 action recovery and economic stimulus programme.

 The governor further disclosed that through the programme, 13,420 farmers would receive agricultural inputs and assets.

Mr Radda stated, “About 1,170 farmers across the 34 Local Government Areas of the state would receive agricultural inputs worth more than N140 million. Another category of 12,250 would be supported with agricultural assets worth over N763 million to an average of N62, 303 per farmer.

 “And also, 6,100 vulnerable and less privileged households from 20 LGAs will receive grants as livelihood support of an average of N50, 000 each, totalling N300 million.”

He said that about 43 communities, with an estimated number of 2,000 individuals each, would receive an average grant of N12 million each, for the implementation of micro projects in their communities.

Mr Radda added that the various supports given at the event were being implemented through the Katsina State CARES programme, which has three platforms.

According to him, the programme is a state home-grown response to the Nigerian Cares (NG-CARES) programme supported by the World Bank.

 “The programme is aimed at mitigating the effects and challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, denying the people access to livelihood. In spite of challenges that put the state in some disadvantages during the first and second circle of its implementation, the programme has succeeded in supporting 526 beneficiaries from six LGAs.

 “Also, 63,143 individuals benefited under the micro project, while 1, 650, and 1,360 farmers received agricultural inputs and assets respectively. Similarly, 692 small farms received operational support grants and information technology enhancement tools,” the governor said.

Earlier, National Coordinator, Federal CARES Support Unit (FCSU), Abdulkareem Ogbaje, said the grants represented a tangible expression of care and solidarity by the state government.

Represented by the state Coordinator of the project, Alhaji Shuaibu Aliyu, Mr Ogbaje described the exercise as a testament of the state government’s commitment in improving the livelihood of the people.

 He also appealed to the beneficiaries to make proper use of the gesture as part of their contribution in keeping poverty out of the state and the country in general.

 The beneficiaries commended the gesture and assured the governor that they would use the support through the right direction.

(NAN)