FADAMA project
By BENJAMIN ORISEMEKE, Abuja –
As part of it FCT COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (FCT CARES) programme, the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat of the FCTA has allocated the sum of $4.5 million to FADAMA project for the implementation of three Disbursement Linked Indicators.
The programme, FCTA says will target 12,283 farmers as well as rehabilitation of 17 wet markets in the territory.
Speaking on Tuesday while declaring the capacity building training programme for Project Community Facilitators and Local Fadama CARED desk officers of the project, the Secretary, Abubakar Ibrahim, said the reimbursable $4.5 million accounts for 30% of total money allocation for the programme by the World Bank secured under the COVID-19 programme.
According to Ibrahim, this underlines the significance recognition the FCT administration accords the agricultural developments. He however warned that the team must work at their best as the fund will not be reimbursed if the project implementation falls below the World Bank standard.
While encouraging participants to get the best from the training, Ibrahim said: “The FCT COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus programme is a World Bank budget support to the FCT administration for non-discretionary expenditure which is targeted at supporting existing and newly emerging vulnerable and poor households, agricultural value chains and micro and small enterprises that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Welcoming the participants, the CARES project coordinator, Mr Usman Adangara, said after the assessment of the eligibility package submitted by the FCT, the World Bank team scored the FCT 88%, thus making it eligible for the receipt of N1.1 billion.
He explained that the training of the 28 facilitators and 12 Desk Officers will ensure capacities of the officers are further built in order to fully equip them with necessary tools for the successful discharge of their responsibilities.
Adangara assured that the scheme will be working with the communities and the Area Councils in the FCT as each Area Council Chairman would need to approve their participation before the project will commence in their locality.
