Independent Verification Agent Visits NG-Cares Office in Plateau State for Assessment

The Plateau State office of the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) program hosted a delegation from the Independent Verification Agent (IVA) as part of a mandatory assessment visit to evaluate the progress of the program in the state.

Leading the IVA team, Mrs. Jane Audu commended the efforts of the three delivery platforms under the NG-CARES program in Plateau State, namely the Plateau State Microfinance Development Agency (PLASMIDA), FADAMA, and the Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA). She acknowledged their dedication and commitment to achieving the program’s objectives of mitigating the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by providing targeted interventions to vulnerable individuals and communities across the state.

The technical administrative head of NG-CARES in Plateau State, Dr. Haggai Gutap, who served as the chief host, welcomed the visiting team and assured them of the states readiness to provide all necessary modalities to ensure a seamless assessment process. Dr. Gutap further highlighted the recent assessment conducted by the World Bank, which rated Plateau State highly in its implementation of the NG-CARES program. He expressed confidence in the states ongoing efforts to deliver impactful interventions to beneficiaries across various sectors.

In attendance were the heads of the three delivery platforms: Hon. Bomkam Ali Wuyep, Director General of PLASMIDA; Mr. Dauda Dinju, head of the Community and Social Development Agency; and Elder Gideon Dandam, head of FADAMA. Each of them provided insights into their respective interventions, challenges faced in the field, and the impact of their programs on communities.

Hon. Wuyep emphasized PLASMIDA’s focus on empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through targeted financial support and skills acquisition programs, while Mr. Dinju highlighted CSDA’s community-driven development initiatives aimed at providing essential social infrastructure to rural communities. Elder Dandam commended the successes recorded in the agricultural sector through FADAMA, particularly in enhancing food security and farmers’ productivity across the state.

Mrs. Jane Audu and her team expressed satisfaction with the preliminary findings and encouraged the stakeholders to sustain their efforts in ensuring that the program’s objectives are met efficiently.

The NG-CARES program, funded by the World Bank, aims to provide economic relief and resilience-building initiatives to mitigate the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the most vulnerable populations in Nigeria.

The event concluded with a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to continue delivering impactful interventions that will foster economic growth and improve the livelihoods of Plateau State residents.