Olu Samuel
The Kogi State Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA) is set to surpass the impact of its previous NG-CARES 1.0 program with the approval of additional financing for NG-CARES 2.0.
The General Manager of Kogi CSDA, Chief Mallam Momoh Dauda, disclosed this at a two-day capacity-building training for Local Government Review Committees and Desk Officers in Okene on Wednesday.
The NG-CARES 2.0 program, funded by the World Bank, aims to expand access to livelihood support, food security services, and grants for poor and vulnerable households and communities.
The agency he said has under the NG -Cares 1.0 implemented 74 community development plans and 187 micro-projects across local government areas in Kogi State, benefiting 2.5 million people.
Chief Dauda praised Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo for releasing funds for the program even before its effective date in December.
“The agency will surpass its previous accomplishments with NG-CARES 2.0, which has an additional financing of $500 million.”
The training he added aims to strengthen the technical, institutional, and operational capacities of participants for effective implementation, review, and oversight of Community Development Plans and Group Development Plans.
The first phase of the training program was attended by LGAs of Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okehi, Okene, Ogori Magongo, Kabba Bunu LGAs. Others that attended the capacity building include LG personnel from Ijumu, Mopa Amuro, Yagba East and Yagba West LGAs.
“The training initiative equally aims to strengthen the technical, institutional, and operational capacities of participants for the effective implementation, review, and oversight of Community Development Plans (CDPs) and Group Development Plans (GDPs)”. He noted.
According to Chief Momoh Dauda, General Manager of KGCSDA, the training is expected to equip participants with the necessary skills to deliver transparent, inclusive, and results-oriented interventions, aligning with Kogi State’s development priorities.
He said the NG-CARES 2.0 programme is building on the successes of its predecessor, which delivered impactful community-driven interventions, enhancing livelihoods, improving access to basic services, and strengthening social protection mechanisms across rural and vulnerable communities in Kogi State.
Participants at the training received comprehensive training on NG-CARES objectives, components, and implementation arrangements, as well as environmental and social safeguards, gender mainstreaming, and inclusion of vulnerable groups.
The training featured interactive presentations and discussions facilitated by senior government officials, technical experts, and agency managers, providing a platform for dialogue and experience-sharing among participants.
In his remarks, Aina Ekundayo, Director of Local Government, Yagba East, described the training as an eye opener, said the knowledge gained would greatly enhance the implementation of the NG -Cares 2.0 at the Local Government.