As
part of efforts to alleviate poverty among the citizenry, the Federal
Government, yesterday, launched multiple programmes under the Millennium
Development Goals in Abia .
All three programmes include: Conditional Grant Scheme to Agro-Based Cooperative Societies, the Village-Based Health Workers Scheme, and the Conditional Cash Transfer programme.
In her remarks at the event, Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, Dr. (Mrs.) Precious Kalamba Gbeneol, said the multi- programmes were aimed at poverty reduction, reductions of morbidity, and improving the living standards of the people especially the vulnerable group.
She said her office recognized the fact that “the Village Health Workers Scheme is an internationally acclaimed best practice for reducing morbidity and averting mortality in mothers, newborns and children.”
The programme according to her, has become very crucial especially in vulnerable settings where the “overall primary healthcare delivery system is weak and under-utilized.”
The Presidential Assistant represented by Denis Harry, said the Conditional Cash Grant was aimed at reaching out to every household within the country while the Conditional Grant Scheme, CGS to Agro-Based Cooperative Societies was aimed at achieving a significant growth on the national food security.
He added that it was also aimed at eradication of extreme poverty and hunger among Nigerians.
The Presidential aide commended Abia Government for being committed and steadfast in paying its counterpart funds, saying that Abia tops the list of cooperating states.
In his remarks , Gov. Theodore Orji noted with delight the various interventions of federal government through MDGs in the state, saying that Abia maintains robust relationship with the federal governmet .
Orji however, attributed MDG’s projects in the state to Abia Government’s consistency in remitting her counterpart funds which he put at over N3 billion since 2007.
He assured of the continued partnership of his administration with MDGs in the overall interest of the people.
