By Danjuma Attah, Gombe
Gombe State Government has began the direct and indirect support for 573,429 poor and vulnerable persons with livelihood incentives.
Farm inputs, agricultural assets and business livelihood support items were distributed while provision of classroom blocks, healthcare facilities, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities, as well as construction or rehabilitation of earth dams, culverts and drainage systems are the indirect livelihood incentives.
The implemented of these support is through various result areas under the GO-CARES. GoCares programme aims to ensure beneficiaries receive assistance from several initiatives across the three key focus areas.
The Gombe State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Salihu Baba-Alkali, who flagged off the distribution of the farm inputs and agricultural assets on behalf of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, said the target is to reach the less privileged.
This is the fourth phase of the programme and the Commissioner noted that it is particularly significant because it involves implementing all three result areas simultaneously.
The beneficiaries, carefully selected from the Social Register, will also receive Cash Transfer grants, Livelihood Grants, Labour-Intensive Public Workfare, Operational Grants for Nano, Micro, and Small businesses as well as IT Enhancement Grants for ICT-related enterprises across the state.
“All these projects have a direct impact on the poor and vulnerable, and they are central to Governor Yahaya’s vision for Gombe State,” Alhaji Alkali stated.
He expressed confidence that if beneficiaries properly utilize the support, the program would significantly alleviate poverty, enhance small businesses, increase IT access, and contribute to Gombe State’s overall economic growth.
The Commissioner expressed Governor Yahaya’s commitment towards alleviating poverty and accelerating economic development while ensuring that the less privileged are included in the state’s growth.
In his remark during the flagg off, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives, Dr. Barnabas Malle, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Ibrahim Yakubu, urged beneficiaries to make the most of the support provided. He also discouraged them from selling the items.
The General Manager of the Gombe State Agency for Community and Social Development, one of the implementing platforms of Go-CARES, Malam Haruna Ahmed Imam, explained that 100 communities would benefit from the 4th phase. He said these projects are expected to improve community infrastructure and services significantly.
One of the beneficiaries, Khadija Mohammed Jallo, a Pharmacy student at Gombe State University, received a laptop and thanked the government, noting that the computer would greatly enhanced her studies.
