By Patience Ogbodo

BAUCHI — AS  part of its effort to tackle  poverty in the state, the Bauchi State government has approved the sum of N550 million as counterpart contribution to the implementation of the Village Economic Development Solutions.

This was disclosed by the state governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda while flagging-off the programme at the Federal Secretariat, Bauchi, saying the state government is collaborating with National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) and other stake-holders and financial institu-tions to implement it in the state.

According to Yuguda, “So far we have released N275m as first disbursement. It is with this fund that the scheme is being kick-started in the state today.”

He expressed optimism that the scheme would improve economic activities in most areas especially in the rural areas through the establish-ment of Anchor and other Capacity Deepening activities.

“We are hoping that NAPEP and other participating finan-cial institutions will redeem their pledges so as to have the much needed funds in the pool to effectively implement the scheme as designed.

“This government is quite aware of the onerous task in poverty reduction. We are, therefore, reaching out to International donor agencies and other development partners to have the much needed finances, support and technical inputs towards poverty reduction,” he said.

He then enjoined NGOs and Civil Society Organisations to join in the fight against poverty.