By Kenneth Obieh
The Federal Assessment and Advisory team of the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES), has expressed satisfaction with the Delta State Government readiness in the implementation of the COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (CARES) programme in the state.
Mrs. Fatuki Adepeju who led a team of Federal Government Assessment and Advisory team of the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) to Delta state gave the indication at the end of a three day visit to the state to ascertain the readiness of the Delta CARES Coordinating Unit and the Delivery Platforms of the programme in the state.
Mrs. Adepeju, who had earlier visited the Secretary to the State Government, (SSG), Chief Patrick Ukah, in his office in Asaba, the state capital, explained that her team was in the state to ascertain the level of preparedness and readiness of the State Government and the Delta CARES team to implement the programme in the state.
She assured the SSG that the team would carry out a thorough assessment of the critical structures for the implementation of the programme in the state and it would render appropriate reports at the end of the three day exercise to keep the state abreast of its findings.
The SSG had affirmed the willingness of the state government to benefit from the World Bank assisted programme and explained that the required structures for take off of the programme in the state had already been put in place.
During the debriefing of the Coordinator of the Delta CARES, Lady Patience Ogbewe, and the Technical Heads of the various Delivery Platforms which was held at the Conference Hall of the State CARES Coordinating Unit in Asaba at the end of the three day assessment exercise, Mrs Adepeju explained that during the study the team had concentrated on the qualifications and experience of staff, the conduciveness of assigned offices and the necessary equipment required to do the job.
She informed stakeholders that the state government had been assessed to be satisfactorily ready for the implementation of the Delta CARES Programme.
Responding, Lady Ogbewe appreciated the team for a job well done and assured the team that efforts would be geared towards a successful implementation of the programme in the state.
The various structures and Delivery Platforms which were assessed include, the State CARES Coordinating Unit (SCCU), State Cash Transfer Unit (SCTU), Labour Intensive Public Workfare Unit (LIPWU), Livelihood Support Unit (LSU), Community Driven Development Social Implementation Unit (CDDSIU), State FADAMA Coordination (SFCO) Office and the Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (DEMSMA).