From John Adeleye, Ado Ekiti
Another set of 1,326 beneficiaries of the Ekiti COVID-19 Action
Recovery and Economic Stimulus programme (Ek-CARES) have commenced work under the second batch of the Programme for Result scheme of the jointly developed World Bank-supported programme.
The State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Otunba
Kayode Fasae who made this known while monitoring the progress of the
beneficiaries, said that they would receive a monthly stipend of
12,500 Naira for a period of one year.
Otunba Fasae said that the programme was aimed at mitigating the
effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the socio-economic wellbeing of the
people and reducing unemployment in the State.
According to him, the beneficiaries, aged between 18 and 50 years old
with education qualifications not higher than secondary school
certificate, were selected from the State’s unemployed single register
through community- based targeting system.
He said that the first batch of 1,326 beneficiaries recently concluded
their 14months stint under the scheme adding that the recipients were
engaged to perform Labour Intensive Public Works such as cleaning of
public facilities including hospitals and schools as well as desilting
of drains urged the beneficiaries to be alive to their
responsibilities.
Reiterating the commitment of the Biodun Oyebanji administration to
the general well-being of the people and staunch support for the
livelihood of the poor and vulnerable households in the State, Fasae
expressed gratitude to the World Bank and other development partners
for their support for efforts at improving the welfare of the people.
He said that the programme not only helps expand access to livelihood
support, food security services as well as grants for poor and
vulnerable households, it also helps keep the environment clean and
healthy.