World Bank has urged the Federal Government to adopt the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme for distribution of palliatives, following removal of petrol subsidy in the country.

NG-CARES, an initiative of the Federal Government and World Bank, was designed to provide support for recovery of communities, households and businesses affected by COVID-19 and other emergencies.

World Bank Task Team Leader for NG-CARES, Prof. Foluso Okunmadewa, gave the advice on the sidelines of the Second Quarter Performance Review Meeting of NG-CARES, which ended in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said the programme belongs to all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory but is supported by the Federal Government and World Bank in terms of financial resources and technical assistance.

He said states are using their own implementing units to deliver services and goods to the poor and vulnerable. “So, the states have capacity both in terms of staff, in terms of institutions, and in terms of structure to be able to support the poor and vulnerable.”

He commended National Economic Council (NEC) for proposing that the government use NG-CARES for distribution of palliatives to mitigate effects of fuel subsidy removal, saying it shows the council recognises the good works of the programme.

He added: “The way it is currently structured, NG-CARES is shock responsive, so that whenever anything happens, whether it is flood or outbreak of disease or economic crisis, like now, when there is an increase in cost of living, it has the capacity to respond.”