Eight Communities in seven Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Ogun State, have received the sum of N65.2million disbursed by Ogun State Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA), for the implementation of basic social infrastructure under the second phase of Ogun State COVID-19 Action Recovery Economic Stimulus (OG-CARES) programme.

          It would be recalled that the NG-CARES project began in 2001, funded by the Federal and State Governments with the support of World Bank, to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, among the people to restore livelihood of the poor and vulnerable in society.

          The Acting General Manager of the State Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA), Mr. Abdul Rahaman Adelaja, revealed this at the launch of the second phase of the project at the Leper's Colony in Iberekodo, Abeokuta.

          Adelaja stated that N106.4million was the total amount earmarked for the second phase of the project, which included the execution of social infrastructure, ranging from health, education, water and sanitation in 10 LGAs.

          He added that eight out of the 13 communities that have completed the Community Development Plan (CDP) had their fund released to them, noting that the remaining five communities were in the process of getting their Plans done.

          According to him, "the eight communities in the seven LGAs that have received their cheques for the implementation of the project were Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu North, Ijebu East, Abeokuta North, Yewa South, Ifo and Ewekoro, while Ikenne, Ipokia, and Ado-Odo/Ota will get theirs as soon as they complete the CDP".

          In his contribution, the Project Officer, Management Information System, CSDA, Mr. Johnson Olaleye, urged benefitting communities to be diligent in the execution of the projects, advising them to cooperate with the Community Project Management Committee (CPMC) of the Agency to be able to achieve success.

          Responding on behalf of other benefitting communities, Mr. Hammeed Jimoh, appreciated the State government for the intervention, promising to be prudent while ensuring standard, proper execution and maintenance of the project.