Enugu State Government Rolls Out NG-CARES Operation 2.0 to Empower 3,000 Rural Dwellers

Enugu State Government has launched a fresh phase of the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme, targeting no fewer than 3,000 beneficiaries in rural communities across the state.

The intervention, now branded as NG-CARES Operation 2.0, is being implemented by the State Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA). It focuses on critical areas such as solar-powered water facilities, improved sanitation systems, and support for small-scale enterprises to ease economic pressures on vulnerable households.

The rollout aligns with Governor Peter Mbah’s broader vision of inclusive and grassroots development, building on the programme’s earlier successes in the state. Since 2022, the Enugu NG-CARES initiative has already provided relief to over 500,000 residents and empowered more than 10,000 businesses, including operational and IT equipment grants to over 4,000 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) worth more than N1 billion. The national NG-CARES programme, which enjoys additional World Bank funding of $500 million in its second phase, continues to serve as a key shock-response mechanism for livelihood restoration and food security nationwide.

At the sensitisation exercise, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, who represented Governor Mbah, described the new phase as a deliberate response to current economic challenges facing rural families. He stressed that the administration is committed to cushioning hardships while expanding opportunities at the community level through targeted, transparent interventions.

Onyia explained that the programme would deliver clean water via solar-powered schemes, construct hygienic sanitation facilities, and provide financial and material support for income-generating activities. He added that community participation remains central to identifying genuine needs and ensuring projects are executed effectively.

General Manager of the CSDA, Mr. Monday Diamond Ani, disclosed that thousands of beneficiaries would receive tools and equipment to boost their livelihoods, including Point of Sale (POS) machines as well as vocational kits for tailoring, grinding machines, and hairdressing.

Ani assured that selection of beneficiaries would be strictly data-driven, drawing from community inputs and the state’s social register. “The process will be free from political interference, with strong monitoring mechanisms in place to track utilisation and measure impact,” he emphasised.

Chairman of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, Barr. Obiora Obeagu, welcomed the initiative and expressed confidence that it would bring measurable improvements to rural livelihoods. He pledged the full cooperation of local government authorities to support smooth implementation across communities.

The programme will unfold in phases, starting with sensitisation and transparent beneficiary selection, followed by distribution of support items and ongoing monitoring to ensure sustained impact. Over 140 communities have already benefited from similar water and sanitation projects in previous cycles, setting the stage for wider reach under Operation 2.0.

Stakeholders say the expanded NG-CARES intervention in Enugu reinforces Governor Mbah’s commitment to leaving no one behind in the state’s drive towards economic resilience and improved living standards for rural populations.