$20 Billion Poverty Alleviation Fund launched, As AK-CARES kicks- off

Grace Anderson:There was widespread jubilation   as Akwa Ibom State Government launched the AK-CARES in Uyo the Akwa Ibom State capital on Monday 29th August 2022.The event which took place at Ibom hall was hosted by the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Economic Development and was launched by Governor Udom Emmanuel who was  represented by his deputy Mr Moses Ekpo. In his welcome remarks, the Akwa Ibom State commissioner for Economic Development Mr Emem Almond Bob stated that the AK-CARES is a programme put in place to cushion the effects of the covid - 19 pandemic. He stated that the programme was designed to alleviate poverty and enhance economic growth. According to him,   each state will receive 20 million US dollars from the world bank for the project. Speaking further he said that the , state conditional cash transfer was to be handled by the Ministry of women affairs and social welfare. Similarly, labour intensive public works  was to pass through Akwa Ibom State roads and other infrastructure maintenance agency (AKROMA). He further stated that food security was to be handled through the Ministry of Agriculture. Again,  the Ministry of Trade and investment was to handle support to small and medium enterprises. He commended the AK-CARES steering committee for tirelessly bringing the program to its present level. In a keynote speech, the Chairman of the Federal  CARES technical team, Mr Abdulkareem Obaje stated that the program was  result oriented insisting that any state that produces the required result would benefit immensely from the programme. He urged the State Government to release more funds into the program as he promised that the world bank will reimburse the state in return. In his goodwill message,  the Commissioner for  Trade and Investment Engr Camilus Umoh  stated that the  Ministry  was a disbursement platform for intervention to SME's. He posited that SME's are engine rooms for development in every economy. According to him, government sees it as one of the cardinal points of development hence its inclusion in the eight point agenda of the Governor Udom led administration.   

Goodwill messages where also given by the Commissioner for Finance Mr Linus Nkang, the Commissioner for Women affairs Mrs Ini Adiakpan ,the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs Offiong Offor   and other stakeholders.

Highpoints of the event was the disbursement of cheques to selected beneficiaries who were jubilating and elated as well as  cultural displays.

Photo: A Cheque Presented To The Afaha Atai Community Development  Association  During The Program Launch