The World Bank and Nigeria’s Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) have called for the adoption of technology by state governments as an effective strategy to combat poverty and address climate-related disasters and economic instability.
This recommendation was made during the fifth Zonal Peer Learning and Experience Sharing Programme of NG-CARES in Ondo State, South-West Nigeria.
According to the World Bank and NG-CARES, these strategies can revitalize nano, micro, and small enterprises through technology adoption, thereby fostering economic recovery and sustainability.
This involves implementing innovative approaches to social transfers, public workfare, livelihoods, and basic services, as well as enhancing agricultural support and infrastructure through the provision of inputs and the adoption of climate-smart technologies.
Additionally, they highlighted the need for effective and equitable disbursement of livelihood grants to beneficiaries and the provision of basic services to support poor and vulnerable communities.
The NG-CARES program is an initiative aimed at mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable populations. Speaking at the workshop, the NG-CARES National Coordinator, Mr. Abdulkarim Obaje, stated that over nine million Nigerians have benefited from the program. He expressed optimism that the initiative is poised to eradicate poverty and transform lives across the country.
“The number of beneficiaries of the intervention is well over 9 million. NG-CARES is designed to assist the state and federal governments in eradicating poverty in Nigeria. The program has been restructured in terms of scope to reach more vulnerable Nigerians and has performed exceptionally well,” Obaje noted.
He also revealed that state governors have requested the World Bank, through the federal government, for additional funding, which has been approved to the tune of $500 million.
“We are conducting zonal visits across states and interacting with beneficiaries, who are sharing testimonies of the program’s impact. The purpose of this learning event is to share experiences and best practices,” he stated.
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Obaje commended state governments for spending over N150 billion on the program. He added that the initiative is now more focused on supporting communities and individuals affected by flood disasters across the country.
Given the successes recorded through NG-CARES, which supported the economic recovery of communities, families, and individuals in the aftermath of COVID-19, it became necessary to shift focus to assisting victims of flooding and other natural disasters.
The NG-CARES Task Team Leader for the World Bank, Mr. Lire Ersado, said the World Bank had spent $750 million on the program. He noted that the second phase would receive an additional $500 million from the World Bank.
Represented by the former World Bank Lead, Prof. Foluso Okunmadewa, Ersado described the first phase of the program as a success, which is set to conclude in December.
“This NG-CARES program has helped many farmers increase their production and assisted numerous businesses in recovering from setbacks. It has had a significant impact on people’s lives,” Ersado affirmed.
“For the second phase, the World Bank will provide $500 million, while the states will contribute almost an equivalent amount to support the program. The states are using very objective measures to identify beneficiaries. Furthermore, efforts have been made to ensure the program is not hijacked by political interests,” he added.
The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Emmanuel Igbasan, noted that NG-CARES has performed exceptionally well compared to other World Bank-supported interventions in the country. Despite its success, Igbasan emphasized the need to elevate the program further.
He urged the federal government and the Nigeria Governors Forum to continue collaborating with the World Bank to ensure the sustainability of NG-CARES.
As African countries continue to grapple with the effects of climate-related disasters and economic instability, the NG-CARES program presents a unique opportunity for Nigeria to leverage technology in addressing poverty and hunger by harnessing digital solutions to improve efficiency, enhance transparency, and increase access to essential services and resources.
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