The Zamfara State Government, under the leadership of Governor Dauda Lawal, has earmarked a total of N7.2 billion for community-driven development projects across 375 communities in the state, as part of the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES), a World Bank-supported initiative.
The Deputy Governor, Mani Mummuni, made this known in Gusau on Tuesday during the flag-off ceremony of a free project implementation training programme for participants drawn from 158 benefiting communities.
According to Mummuni, the N7.2 billion approval by Governor Lawal will be disbursed through the State Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA) to fund critical projects in key sectors, including healthcare, education, water supply, agriculture, and drainage systems across the state’s 14 Local Government Areas.
He explained that the execution of these projects would be handled by Community Project Monitoring Committees (CPMCs), working under the supervision of the CSDA to ensure efficiency and grassroots ownership.
Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to improving the living conditions of rural populations, Mummuni described the initiative as a strategic effort to deliver the dividends of democracy directly to vulnerable communities.
He urged participants to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability in managing project resources, stressing that community involvement remains central to the success of the programme.
“The training is designed to empower communities not just to benefit from these projects, but to take ownership of their development through active participation, transparency, and commitment,” he said.
In his remarks, the General Manager of CSDA, Umar Nakwada, revealed that the current training focuses on Batch A projects valued at N3.2 billion, covering 158 communities. He noted that participants were selected from CPMCs tasked with monitoring and ensuring the proper implementation of projects within their respective communities.
Nakwada emphasized that the training would equip participants with the necessary knowledge and tools for effective project execution, while assuring that the agency would maintain strict oversight to guarantee quality delivery.
He also commended Governor Lawal for his sustained support toward initiatives aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of grassroots communities.
Similarly, the State NG-CARES Coordinator, Mukhtar Ibrahim, lauded the Zamfara State Government’s commitment to uplifting vulnerable households through strategic interventions.
Ibrahim explained that the NG-CARES programme is designed to enhance access to livelihood support, strengthen food security systems, and provide grants to poor and vulnerable households as well as micro and small-scale enterprises.
He further highlighted that the initiative focuses on three core result areas: livelihood and social support, food security and agricultural value chain development, and the recovery of micro and small enterprises.
The programme, he noted, represents a critical pathway to economic resilience and inclusive growth for communities across Zamfara State.
