The Kogi State Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA) has expressed confidence that it will exceed the achievements recorded under the NG-CARES 1.0 programme following the approval of additional financing for the implementation of NG-CARES 2.0.
The General Manager of the agency, Chief Momoh Dauda, disclosed this during a two-day capacity-building training for members of Local Government Review Committees and Desk Officers, held in Okene on Wednesday. According to him, the new phase of the programme is designed to deepen social protection interventions and expand support for poor and vulnerable households across Kogi State.
The Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) 2.0 programme, funded by the World Bank, aims to enhance access to livelihood support, food security services, and grants for vulnerable individuals and communities. Dauda noted that the programme builds on the successes recorded during the first phase.
He revealed that under NG-CARES 1.0, the Kogi CSDA successfully implemented 74 Community Development Plans (CDPs) and executed 187 micro-projects across various local government areas in the state. These interventions, he said, benefited an estimated 2.5 million people by improving access to basic services, strengthening livelihoods, and supporting vulnerable populations.
Expressing optimism about the new phase, Dauda praised Governor Usman Ododo for demonstrating commitment to the programme by releasing funds even before its official commencement date in December. He said the additional financing of 500 million dollars approved for NG-CARES 2.0 would significantly enhance the agency’s capacity to deliver more impactful, community-driven projects.
“The agency will surpass its previous accomplishments with NG-CARES 2.0, which has an additional financing of 500 million dollars,” Dauda said.
He explained that the capacity-building training was organised to strengthen participants’ technical, institutional, and operational competencies to ensure effective implementation, review, and oversight of both Community Development Plans and Group Development Plans under the new programme.
Officials from Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okehi, Okene, Ogori Magongo, and Kabba Bunu Local Government Areas attended the first phase of the training. Participants also included local government personnel from Ijumu, Mopa Amuro, Yagba East, and Yagba West.
Dauda added that the training would equip participants with skills needed to deliver transparent, inclusive, and results-oriented interventions in line with Kogi State’s development priorities. Sessions covered NG-CARES objectives, programme components, implementation arrangements, environmental and social safeguards, gender mainstreaming, and the inclusion of vulnerable groups.
The training featured interactive presentations and discussions facilitated by senior government officials, technical experts, and agency managers, providing opportunities for experience-sharing and dialogue.
In his remarks, the Director of Local Government for Yagba East, Mr Aina Ekundayo, described the training as an eye-opener, noting that the knowledge gained would significantly enhance the effective implementation of NG-CARES 2.0 at the local government level.
