The Katsina State Government has clarified that the recent receipt of N15.4 billion is a reimbursement from the World Bank for the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) project, rather than a relief fund. Alhaji Bello Kagara, the Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning, emphasized that the NG-CARES initiative is designed to support vulnerable households, agricultural value chains, and small enterprises impacted by the economic effects of COVID-19.
Kagara noted that Katsina’s investment in the NG-CARES program has yielded significant returns, with N15.4 billion reimbursed out of a total of N25.7 billion earned. This funding aims to bolster the local economy and provide much-needed assistance to those affected by the pandemic, reinforcing the state’s commitment to economic recovery and support for its citizens.