By Francis Akinnodi

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Ondo State Government has restated its commitment to continue to empower communities across the state for economic and sustainable development.

This is just as the Ondo State Community and Social Development Agency (ODCSDA), presented over N58 million to four communities; Ilemo (Akure South), Ibulesoro (Akure South), Moferere in Iju (Akure north) and Aponmu-Lona (Idanre) from the Ondo COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (Ondo CARES) programme for the development of the areas.

General Manager of the agency, Bosun Ogundipe made this known during the official presentation of cheques to the four communities.

He said the government through the agency would support and empower communities and groups for sustainable development and assist the poor to improve their social and natural resources and infrastructure services.

The Hope reports that Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) was a tripartite agreement between the World Bank, federal and state governments to reduce the economic impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the population.

He said the commitment was to reduce the impact of the pandemic on the economy and the people, which has affected the livelihoods and businesses of many of the states’ residents including Ondo state.

Ogundipe emphasized that the program was specifically targeted at the poor and vulnerable groups in the society, which are expected to implement several intervention projects, in particular in the areas of health, school, water and other infrastructure for economic growth.

He also said about 28 communities across the 18 local government of the state would benefit directly from the program.

“The Ondo CARES would benefit about 28 communities across the state. So the benefited communities should see the project as a community project.”

Also speaking during the project implementation brief, ODCSDA Operations Manager, Olumide Igbaroola said the project has a three month lifeline and urged the project committee members to follow the lay down specifications for quality work delivery.

“All project would be completed within three months so we should all join hands together to achieve the set goals.”