SPEECH BY H.E. RT. HON. (DR) SIMON BAKO LALONG, KSGG, EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF PLATEAU STATE AT THE INAUGURATION OF PLATEAU COVID-19 ACTION ECONOMIC STIMULUS PROGRAM FOR RESULT (PLA-CARES) A WORLD BANK FINANCED PROGRAMME ON 24TH MAY, 2021.
PROTOCOLS
1. It is with deep sense of gratitude to God almighty that I address you at this historic event which is the inauguration of the Plateau State Steering Committee for the Covid-19 Action Economic Stimulus Program for Result (NG-CARES). Having keyed into the programme, we are inaugurating Steering Committee to set the ball rolling in carrying out the programme.
2. By this inauguration, Plateau State is fully ready to participate in the implementation of the Program which is financed by the World Bank. Our dear State has qualified to access $20 million dollars (over 8 billion naira) from the $750 million dollars to be accessed by the Federal Government to address the negative consequences of Covid-19 on our economy.
3. We are all witnesses to the fact that Covid-19 has severely affected the lives of our citizens and that of the State in general. This has exposed poor and vulnerable households to challenges in multiple fronts. These include job losses; losses in business incomes; food insecurity; and general inability to obtain basic services for day to day living. This is even worsened by the drastic fall in Government revenues.
4. It is therefore commendable that programmes such as this have been initiated to assist us mitigate the impact of the pandemic. In ensuring that our people benefit, Plateau State opted to implement all the three Result Areas of the programme because of their expected social intervention impacts on the economy.
5. Under Result Area 1 which focuses to achieve Increased Social Transfers, Basic Services, and Livelihood Support to the poor and vulnerable households, we have an estimated number of beneficiaries totaling 39,014. For Result Area 2 which is aimed at increasing food production and Security as well as boosting safe and functional food supply chains, there are about 18,973 beneficiaries targeted. Result Area 3 which is for facilitating recovery and enhancing capabilities of MSMEs has 2,142 targeted beneficiaries.
6. Therefore, we expect that over 60,129 citizens of Plateau State will benefit from the project which has the potential of transforming the landscape of our economy. The three implementing platforms will work on the 11 disbursement link indicators outlined by the financing organisation, the World Bank.
7. This program is financed by the World Bank through Program for Result Instrument which is considered as more appropriate for this operation. I therefore charge the Steering Committee being inaugurated today to show high level of commitment to enable our State utilize these resources to the last kobo for the benefit of our people.
8. The State Cares Steering Committee (SCSC) will be responsible for providing oversight direction to the implementing agencies; approving their work plans and budgets; ensuring that funds are released to delivery platforms in accordance with the funds flow agreement; as well as ensuring that there is full compliance with the Program Appraisal Document.
9. When composed, the State Coordinating Unit (SCCU) will serve as the Secretariat of the State Cares Steering Committee, responsible for monitoring performance and results of the delivery Platforms and communicating with the World Bank and the Federal Government on behalf of the State and the delivery platforms among other functions.
10. The following delivery platforms will responsible for the implementation of the program:
1. Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA)
2. Cash Transfer Unit (CTU)
3. Fadama Additional Financing
4. Plateau State Microfinance Development Agency (PLASMIDA).
11. At this juncture, I must appreciate the heads of these delivery platforms and Focal Person Social for the Social Investment Programmes Dr. Sumaya Hamza for working tirelessly to ensure that Plateau State qualifies to participate in this laudable project under the leadership of Director General of PLASMIDA Mr. Haggai Haruna Gutap who served as the focal person. This inauguration today is a manifestation of the efforts and sacrifices they made alongside others since July 2020 to date.
12. Let me use this opportunity to assure all the Steering Committee Members of the Rescue Administration’s determination to give you all the needed support to achieve the program’s objectives. You must justify the confidence we have reposed in you by delivering on the set targets to qualify the State for timely disbursement from the World Bank.
13. Because we cannot afford to fail, I shall be personally monitoring your activities to ensure that the State gets maximum benefit from its participation. Any act of non-performance or willful sabotage will not be tolerated in this program. Since this is an emergency operation with clearly spelled out guidelines, each platform should work within the confine of its responsibilities to avoid task conflict which could affect performance.
14. Our Rescue Administration considers this as another golden opportunity to further push forward its vision for Economic Rebirth by promoting entrepreneurship and job creation. We believe that when our people are engaged meaningfully, crime and agitation will reduce thereby paving way for prosperity.
15. To demonstrate our commitment towards the success of the programme, the Government has secured offices for the State Coordinating Unit (SCCU) and Fadama Additional Financing for smooth take-off of the program. Other staffing issues of Fadama Additional Finance will be resolved to enable capacity building for the programs take place.
Sensitizations for critical stakeholders to the three delivery Platforms will also be done to enable them understand the program concept.
16. At this juncture, I wish to seize this opportunity to congratulate Dr. Abdulkadir Obaje for his appointment as the National Coordinator of NG-CARES Program in Nigeria. I pray that God almighty grants him the strength and wisdom to pilot the activities of this laudable program in Nigeria. I also acknowledge the commitment of my dear friend Professor Folunso Okumadewa the NG CARES Task Team Leader for his untiring commitment towards making this program work in Nigeria.
17. I also assure the World Bank and Federal Government through the Ministry of Budget and Planning where the programme is domiciled, that we are replicating the implementation model spelled out in the guidelines to ensure we stay in line. We have equally domiciled the program in the State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and we shall ensure that the needed support is accorded to the program in Plateau State.
18. Distinguished Ladies and gentlemen, I am very optimistic that the PLATEAU-CARES Programme will have tremendous impact on the States’ economy thereby creating new jobs, stabilizing our revenues and improving food security in the State.
19. In specific terms, the responsibilities of State Steering Committee are as follows:
a. To provide oversight and policy guidance for the implementation of the programme in accordance with the Operations Manual.
b. To meet quarterly (6 times in a year) to consider issues affecting the CARES programme in the State as may be brought before it by the State Cares Coordinating Units including the monitoring report of the State Cares Coordinating Units for appropriate action.
c. To consider and approve the annual work plan and budget of the State Cares Coordinating Units and the Delivery Units.
d. To provide an update on the implementation of the Programme to the Governor every six months or as may be required through the Chairman.
20. The following are the members of the Plateau State Cares Steering Committee:
[MEMBERS TO STAND UP WHEN THEY ARE CALLED AND REMAIN STANDING FOR INAUGRATION]
S/N NAME PORTFOLIO/MDA
1. MR SYLVESTER WALLANGKO HON COMMISSIONER, MINISTRY OF BUDGET AND ECONOMIC PLANNING CHAIRMAN
2. DR (MRS) REGINA SOEMLAT HON COMMISSIONER, MINISTRY OF FINANCE MEMBER
3. DR ISTIFANUS FINANGWAI HON COMMISSIONER, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE MEMBER
4. MR JOSEPH ABE AKU HON COMMISSIONER MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRIES MEMBER
5. DR (MRS) SUMAYE HAMZA EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT/FOCAL PERSON SOCIAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMME MEMBER
6. SUNDAY BIGGS PERMANENT SECRETARY GOVERNMENT HOUSE MEMBER
7. DR AMOS AKIMS BOARD CHAIRMAN CSDA MEMBER
8. MR DAVID DASER DIRECTOR GENERAL PLATEAU INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEMBER
9. MR HAGGAI HARUNA GUTAP HEAD, STATE CARES COORDINATING UNIT SECRETARY
10. SAMUEL DAMLA COORDINATOR, SDGs, PLATEAU STATE
21. It is therefore my honour and privilege to inaugurate the State Cares Steering Committee (SCSC) for the smooth take off of the program in Plateau State. I wish you all the best in this very crucial assignment.
22. The composition of the State Cares Coordinating Unit (SCCU) and the Technical Implementation Team (TIT) will be approved subsequently.
23. God bless Plateau State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG
Governor of Plateau State.
24th May 2021.
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