Rivers State is stepping up preparations for the rollout of the second phase of the Rivers State Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (RIV-CARES) Programme, as government officials and key stakeholders move to address implementation gaps identified during the programme’s first phase.
The renewed focus on readiness was highlighted during a three-day training programme organised by the Office of the Auditor General for stakeholders involved in the implementation of RIV-CARES Phase 2.
Speaking at the opening of the training, the Rivers State Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Kenneth Lekue, said the state government is determined to ensure that the next phase of the programme delivers stronger outcomes through improved coordination, accountability and stakeholder collaboration.
Lekue, who also oversees the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, described the training as an opportunity for stakeholders to review lessons from the first phase and develop practical solutions that will strengthen implementation going forward.
According to him, stakeholders must approach the second phase with greater synergy, commitment and unity of purpose to ensure that RIV-CARES becomes a model for effective grassroots intervention not only in Rivers State but across Nigeria.
“The purpose of this training is to identify areas where challenges were experienced during the first phase and develop practical solutions that will improve implementation in the second phase,” he said.
He urged participants to make meaningful contributions and recommendations that would enhance the programme’s effectiveness and increase its impact on intended beneficiaries.
RIV-CARES was designed to support vulnerable households, improve food security, strengthen food supply chains through increased agricultural productivity and provide grants to small and micro enterprises (SMEs).
The programme forms part of broader efforts aimed at cushioning economic pressures on citizens while supporting livelihoods and economic resilience at the community level.
Also speaking at the event, the Head of Service, Dr. Inyingi Brown, reaffirmed the commitment of the Rivers State Government under Governor Siminalayi Fubara to programmes that improve citizens’ welfare, reduce economic hardship and promote sustainable development.
Brown encouraged participants to take full advantage of the training by sharing practical experiences from the first phase and applying lessons learned to strengthen delivery mechanisms in the next phase.
She stressed the need for strict compliance with operational guidelines, transparency in programme implementation and stronger teamwork among stakeholders.
According to her, addressing challenges encountered during the first phase will be critical to achieving better outcomes during the rollout of Phase 2.
Providing an overview of the training, Acting Auditor General of Rivers State, Dr. Yorkina Christian Barisua, said the programme was organised specifically to bridge operational and technological gaps identified during the implementation of the first phase.
Barisua noted that improving efficiency and strengthening accountability remain key priorities as the state prepares for the next stage of the intervention programme.
He advised delivery platforms participating in the programme to ensure that all funds are transferred directly to beneficiaries, adding that the Office of the Auditor General has been mandated to carry out regular audits of financial disbursements.
According to him, the audits will help guarantee transparency, accountability and public confidence throughout the implementation process.
The State Coordinator of RIV-CARES, Praise Felix Praise, said the second phase presents an opportunity to consolidate gains recorded during the first phase while addressing operational shortcomings that may have affected programme delivery.
He commended stakeholders for their contributions to the successful implementation of the programme’s initial phase and urged them to maximise the benefits of the training ahead of the next rollout.
Praise said the adoption of established best practices would help position RIV-CARES as a benchmark for effective service delivery and community-focused intervention programmes.
The training programme also featured technical presentations aimed at strengthening institutional capacity and improving programme management. Topics covered included protecting government funds against emerging cybercrime threats, conflict management in the workplace, public procurement and auditing processes, as well as practical approaches to bank reconciliation and financial statement management.
Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of key government institutions, including Permanent Secretaries and members of the auditing profession.
With preparations now intensifying, the Rivers State Government is seeking to ensure that the second phase of RIV-CARES is implemented more efficiently, reaches intended beneficiaries more effectively and delivers measurable impact across communities.
The training is expected to provide stakeholders with the operational knowledge, technical skills and coordination framework needed for a successful rollout of the next phase of the programme.
