The Katsina State Government has clarified that the N15.4 billion it recently received was a reimbursement from the World Bank, facilitated through the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. This reimbursement was related to the state's efforts under the Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) project, rather than being a relief fund, as clarified by the Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Bello Kagara.
The NG-CARES program is an emergency initiative designed to support budgeted interventions at the state level, targeting vulnerable and poor households, agricultural value chains, and Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) affected by the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kagara explained that NG-CARES operates as a Programme for Results (PforR), where states invest their resources, produce results according to agreed protocols, and are subsequently reimbursed by the Federal Government following an Independent Verification Exercise.
Katsina State's investment in the program during 2023 resulted in significant returns, earning the state N25.7 billion, of which N15.4 billion—representing 60%—has been reimbursed.
The commissioner highlighted three key areas where the state recorded successes under the program:
1. Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA): Provided livelihood support and micro projects across sectors such as nutrition, health, education, water, and sanitation to numerous beneficiaries.
2. FADAMA: Supported thousands of farmers with agricultural inputs and services to boost productivity and ensure food security.
3. Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA): Offered operational support grants and ICT enhancement tools to thousands of businesses in the state.
Given the positive outcomes, Kagara emphasized that the state plans to increase its investments in these areas to achieve even greater returns in the future.
