By Our Correspondent
Northern states in Nigeria have received the sum of N276 billion under the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG CARES).
The fund became a centre of discussion after President Bola Tinubu noted that states got N570 billion under the scheme.
Although Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has denied receiving any money.
Review shows that Zamfara received N49.1 billion, Nasarawa got N27.2, Plateau N26.3 billion, Gombe N25.3 billion, Kebbi N21.5 billion, Niger N17.7 billion, Adamawa N17.5 billion, Katsina N15.4 billion and Sokoto had N14.1 billion.
Other states such as Yobe received N10.1 billion, Kwara N9.9 billion, Bauchi N7.3 billion, Kogi 6.9 billion, Kano N6.1 billion, Borno N5.8 billion, Jigawa N5.7 billion, Taraba N5.5 billion and Benue N4.9 billion.
One of the aims of the NG CARES is food security, while Adamawa state got N17.5 billion, the money can well cover for its N58 million budget in 2024 to purchase Agricultural equipment, it would also cover for the N7 billion capital expenditure budget of the state health ministry given that one of the aims of the program is to advance livelihood support for beneficiary states.
It will also cover the N15 million budgeted by the state for emergency food and nutrition needs, among other key items.
Gombe state received N25.3 billion, the amount covers the state ministry of health N5.9 billion capital expenditure budget for 2024. It also covers N8.1 billion capital expenditure budget for Ministry of Education.
Construction and purchase of water facilities budget in Gombe of N3.3 billion can also be covered with the NG CARES fund.
Katsina state received N15.4 billion. The money can cover the N231 million budget of the Katsina state maintenance of water schemes, it can also cover N2.4 billion for the capital expenditure budget of the state primary healthcare agency.
It would also support the N4 billion capital budget of the Ministry of Rural and Social Development.
Similarly it would cover the N1.5 billion capital expenditure budget of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA).
The fund is also expected to tackle poverty in the North with 3.44 million multidimensionally poor in Adamawa, 5.71 million are said to be poor in Bauchi, 4.71 million are said to be poor in Benue , 3.02 million are poor in Gombe, 5.76 million persons are poor in Jigawa
Issues such as access to water and sanitary facilities can also be tackled through the funds, especially as Northern Nigerian states suffer from access.
For instance 68% of households in Kebbi lack access to clean drinking water, 71% in Nasarawa lack of access to clean drinking water, 73% in Plateau.
In terms of access to sanitary facilities, 86% of households in Adamawa lack access to sanitary facilities, the figure stands at 65% in Bauchi, 90% in Benue and 73% in Kaduna.
SolaceBase