The Akwa Ibom government is set to kick-start the COVID-19 Action Economic Recovery Stimulus Programme (CARES-P), following its fulfillment of World Bank’s conditions for accessing fund for the scheme.
Mr Akan Okon, the Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport, stated this on Tuesday in Uyo, while speaking with newsmen shortly after distributing office equipment to five implementation platforms for the programme.
He said that CRAE-P was meant to alleviate the economic fortunes of the poorest and most vulnerable people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.
ALSO SEE: Coronavirus: NCDC Records 643 Infections, 6 Deaths
“We are one of the few states that have met the criteria to access the fund. We are to access the sum 20 million dollars to support the vulnerable people affected by COVID-19.
“By World Bank’s timetable, the money will be disbursed by March to beneficiaries. We shall adhere strictly to the conditions established for its disbursement,” he said.
The commissioner commended the World Bank and the Federal Government for considering the state worthy of benefiting from the programme.
“As a state, we are very transparent. This character of transparency was obviously displayed in the process of accessing this support. We shall do same in the implementation process,” he said.
Okon expressed the hope that with the programme, small and medium enterprises that were affected by the pandemic in the state would be revived. (NAN)
