The World Bank project, which anchored on COVID-19 Action Recovery Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES), was flagged off in Asaba under the Delta Cares Scheme to assist Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) affected by the pandemic in the country. Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who announced the disbursement of the funds, said the beneficiaries were those captured in the first phase of the programme in the state. Okowa commended the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) for supporting the Federal Government in ensuring that the programme was approved and applauded the World Bank for the intervention. Also speaking, Managing Director, Bank of Industry (BOI), Olukayode Pitan, said the NG-CARES was a partnership with the World Bank targeted at vulnerable persons and provide food security post-COVID-19 pandemic. Pitan, who commended Delta for being the first state to launch the NG-CARES programme in the country, assured of the bank’s commitment to empowering and supporting the growth of MSMEs with single digit interest loans and moratorium.

Source: The Guardian September 24, 2021 04:15 UTC