Zamfara State Government has budgeted N17.1 billion for COVID-19 action recovery and economic stimulus tagged, “Matawalle Vision 2023”.

Performing the formal inauguration of the project, Governor Bello Matawalle said it was targeted to address the challenges wrought by the pandemic to build sustainable livelihood for the poor and the vulnerable.

He said it would be implemented by the government’s Community and Social Development Agency, the Fadama project and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

It would address components like livelihood grant, Social Fund Transfer, food security, job creation, provision of basic infrastructure and provide also for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises.

Mr Matawalle explained that N3.4 billion of the budget would go to the livelihood grant and another N3.4 billion for food security, while N2 billion would go to job creation.

He added that N8.3 billion was earmarked for the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises.

In total, 152,107 persons would benefit from the programme which would span two years.

The governor explained that 82,321 vulnerable people would benefit from the livelihood grant, 26,128 persons would enjoy food security packages, while 8,500 persons would be assisted to fund micro businesses.

He said the programme would collaborate with the office of the governor’s wife to address the problems of malnutrition, adding that a State Steering Committee had been set up to ensure the smooth coordination of the project.

Cheques were presented to various benefiting communities to execute some basic amenities projects in their localities during the launch of the programme.

(NAN)