NG-CARES: FG hires independent firm to verify achievements by states, FCT

The Federal Government has declared that it is optimistic that the engagement of an Independent Verification Agent (IVA) for the implementation of the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) Programme would provide states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) more funds to quickly address the issue of poverty in their various states. 

The NG-CARES is a $750 million support operation from the World Bank with the objective to expand access to livelihood support and food security services and grants for poor and vulnerable households and firms.

The Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, stated this at the signing of a contract between the Federal Government and Steigler Services Ltd to serve as the IVA of NG-CARES Programme in Abuja last Thursday. 

Agba stated that the reimbursed funds would no doubt assist in reducing poverty in the country and boost the quest by President Muhammadu Buhari to lift 100 million people out of poverty. 

“The NG-CARES is a Performance for Result (PforR) Programme where results achieved by each state and FCT will have to be verified by Independent Verification Agent before reimbursement is made,” the minister said.

He added that, “this will make states and FCT work harder to get more funds and work for their people.” 

He said the use of IVA in the NG-CARES programme further reiterates President Buhari’s transparency crusade. 

He called on Nigerians to support the laudable programmes of the present administration, assuring that the Federal Government would continue to focus on the poor and vulnerable in the country. 

Speaking on the milestone achieved in respect of the engagement of the IVA, the National Coordinator of NG-CARES, Dr. Abdulkarim Obaje, said the IVA engagement bidding process was very competitive and included both local and international firms.

He added that Steigler Services Ltd emerged as the most responsive and competitive bidder, adding that the World Bank Procurement guidelines for international competitive bidding were used in the selection of the IVA. 

Obaje stated that the Federal CARES Support Unit (FCSU) of the NG-CARES Programme has fixed December 28, 2022, for the commencement of the first verification exercise that would run concurrently in all states and the FCT. 

He said the firm would verify the results achieved by states and the FCT since the commencement of the programme implementation in June 2020. 

The Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, undertook the signing of the contract document on behalf of the Federal Government.