NG-CARES Coordinator Expresses Satisfaction on Impact of Projects Executed across the State

By Iloke Egbe

The State Coordinator, Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES), Mr. Henry Egbelo, has expressed excitement on the positive impact of NG-CARES projects executed in different communities across the State, while describing the overall success of the scheme as successful and people-oriented.

He stated this during unscheduled visits to some project sites in different locations in the Central and Northern Senatorial Districts of the State. Mr. Egbelo, who personally interacted with some beneficiaries of NG-CARES inputs distribution at Imaje-Yala in Yala Local Government Area, admitted that when the selection process is devoid of sentiment, the outcome is always very impactful because inputs are given to the rightful and qualified persons who are the direct beneficiaries, and this enhances the multiplier effect of the intervention.

In an interview with some beneficiaries, Mr. Thomas Ebekwe Eju, a rice farmer, informed that their cooperative society, Global Leaders Multipurpose Cooperative Society, benefited from a hand tiller machine, which has helped them to multiply their output, as a hectare of land is tilled in a day, whereas ten days were not enough to work a hectare of land manually, adding that the machine also generates income for the cooperative.

Mr. Daman Azochi Ateh and Mr. Odey Samuel Ajima from Akreha Echumofana, Eastern Yala in Yala Local Government, alluded that they got grants from the NG-CARES programme, which has helped them to expand their mixed crops farming.

At Omuru Community in Olulumon, Okuni, Mr. Paul Alubi and Mrs. Faith Ijoma confirmed that the facilities provided by NG-CARES, such as the classroom block and solar-powered borehole, have helped to improve the living standards of the community.

Also, in Agbaragba, Ikom LGA, Mr. Hilary Ogonyi Eyam thanked the Governor and the project funders for the successful completion of the facility located at St. Mary’s Primary School, Agbaragba, which includes a primary school block and a solar-powered borehole.

In Abini, Biase Local Government, the community youth leader, Mr. Eteng Otong Ikwo, thanked the Governor for the 2km Abini-Agwuagune farm access road rehabilitation, adding that the road has helped the community in the evacuation of farm produce to the market, but noted that the road now needs maintenance and expansion to the Agwuegwune axis. The same situation was reported at Ofodua in Obubra Local Government, where the Youth Leader, Comr. Jude Obeten, informed that the Onyekpenden-Ofodua farm access road links seven farming palm plantations, asserting that the road is an inter-local government road which has helped in the evacuation of farm produce but needs rehabilitation and extension.

The team also visited Comprehensive High School, Ogaga in Yala, where a laboratory block housing Biology, Chemistry, and Physics labs was seen being effectively used by students, including the solar-powered borehole. In an interview, the School Principal, Mrs. Cordelia Undelikwo Akeh, and the Clan Head, HRH Ogamode Ogar Ipoule, both thanked the Governor for the facilities located in the community that have served the people well.

Other places visited include Abetianbe Poultry Farm at Obudu in Obudu Local Government, where the Director, Mr. Gabriel Adie Abetianbe, informed that he started the business in 2021 and that the grant extended to him courtesy of NG-CARES has sustained the business, which now has 700 layers with full-time staff.

At K&C Water Factory, Ikanghaba Community along Border Road, Ikom, Ikom LGA, the Manager, Mr. Nzie Osim Agbor, disclosed that the company has over 40 staff with over ₦2 million as monthly salaries. The team also visited the wet-season market at Ikom Monday Market. From the interviews with beneficiaries, there is an appeal for the expansion and inclusion of more beneficiaries in the NG-CARES programme, with a sustainability mechanism embedded in the implementation process.