Bauchi State Secures $500m NG-CARES Financing, Distributes ICT Facilities to 7,000 Beneficiaries

By Khalid Doya Idris Bauchi

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has directed the State Implementation Unit for the NG-CARES program to facilitate the state's access to additional financing from the program. This directive was given at the official launching and distribution of ICT Enhancement facilities to 7,000 beneficiaries under the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) Bauchi-Cares Result Area 3 MSEs.

Governor Mohammed revealed that the World Bank has provided an additional financing package of $500 million to support the rollout of NG-CARES 2.0. Participating states will access $12 million, with an additional $46 million set aside for redistribution during the program's mid-term review meeting.

The Governor noted that the successful implementation of NG-CARES Result Area 3 in Bauchi was made possible through the World Bank's assistance. He assured partners that NG-CARES 2.0 would be fully implemented in the state.

According to Governor Mohammed, "With these tools, our youths, small business owners, farmers, and traders will now have the means to expand their businesses, improve their livelihoods, and contribute to the economy in a more meaningful way. This program is not just about distributing technology, it is about creating a sustainable ecosystem where businesses can thrive and poverty can be reduced."

The National Coordinator of NG-CARES program, represented by Atiku Musa, congratulated Bauchi on its milestones achieved in implementing the program. The Commissioner for Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Sadiq Hamisu Shira, said the initiative reaffirms Governor Mohammed's vision of leveraging technology for economic growth.

The distributed gadgets include smartphones, tablets, laptops, and POS machines, providing recipients with access to digital tools to improve their businesses, education, and livelihoods.

"My administration remains fully committed to tackling poverty in Bauchi State," Governor Mohammed emphasized. "As we have shown with this program, addressing poverty requires multi-faceted solutions. This is why we will continue to work closely with the World Bank and other development partners to expand and strengthen our social protection programs."

He reiterated his vision for Bauchi, stating, "My vision for Bauchi is to be a state where every citizen, regardless of background, has access to the resources required to succeed."

The NG-CARES program aims to promote digital inclusion and empower beneficiaries with the skills and tools needed to thrive in today's technology-driven world.