The Cross River State Government has inaugurated the State CARES Steering Committee (CR-SCSC) for the implementation of the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) 2.0 programme.
Inaugurating the committee on Tuesday at the Government House, Calabar, Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, charged members of the committee to put in their best to ensure the effective implementation of the programme in the overall interest of the state and its people, in line with his administration’s People First agenda.
The Governor commended the State NG-CARES coordinating team for the successful implementation of the first phase of the programme, assuring the newly inaugurated committee of the state government’s continued support to enable it to achieve its mandate.
He noted that NG-CARES was designed to strengthen existing social safety nets and provide interventions in areas including livelihood support, agriculture value chains, and other measures aimed at improving the economic resilience and wellbeing of vulnerable citizens.
According to him, the selection of experienced and competent individuals into the committee was informed by the administration’s commitment to ensuring effective management and successful implementation of NG-CARES 2.0 in Cross River State.
Governor Otu urged the committee to approach its responsibilities with diligence, accountability and a strong sense of service, stressing the importance of ensuring that the benefits of the programme reach the intended beneficiaries.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, the Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Michael Odere, expressed appreciation to Governor Otu for selecting the members to serve on the strategic committee. He assured the Governor that the committee would ensure prudent management of resources and strict compliance with the objectives and guidelines of the NG-CARES programme.
He pledged the committee’s commitment to effectively delivering on its mandate, ensuring transparency and accountability in the implementation of NG-CARES 2.0, and making the state proud.
Also speaking, the State Coordinator of NG-CARES and Secretary of the Steering Committee, Chief Henry Egbelo, highlighted the state’s performance under the first phase of the programme, noting that Cross River ranked second nationally and first in the South-South. He disclosed that the state recorded ₦49.43 billion in total earnings and ₦32.52 billion in reimbursements under NG-CARES 1.0.
He explained that the programme supported vulnerable households through social protection interventions, engaged vulnerable youths and street sweepers under the Labour-Intensive Public Works (LIPW), supported farmers across major value chains through FADAMA, implemented community infrastructure projects through the Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA), and provided grants to eligible micro and small enterprises.
Egbelo expressed appreciation to the Cross River State Government for its support and for creating an enabling environment that contributed to the successful implementation of the first phase of the Federal Government-World Bank initiative in the state. He said the achievements recorded under NG-CARES 1.0 demonstrated the state’s capacity to effectively implement development programmes targeted at improving the livelihoods of vulnerable citizens and strengthening economic resilience.
The committee has the Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Michael Odere, as Chairman. Other members include Dr. Helen Isamoh E., Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs; Barr. Odum-Iyom Ukam, Commissioner for Youth and Skills Acquisition; Hon. Johnson Ebokpo, Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development; Dr. Hippolatus Lukpata, Commissioner for Internal Donor Coordination; Cyril Asuquo, Board Chairman, Cross River State Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA); Dr. Bong Duke, Vice Chairman/CEO, State Planning Commission; Dr. Glory Effiong, Accountant General; Mr. Effiong Asuquo Ita, Auditor General; Dr. Peter Uklala, Permanent Secretary, Budget, Monitoring and Evaluation Department; and Chief Henry Egbelo, State Coordinator, State CARES Coordinating Unit, who serves as Secretary.
Deputy Governor’s Press Unit,
Government House, Calabar
October 6, 2026
