The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has approved about N9.7 million for 48 beneficiaries of the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) project being impacted by flood in Delta State.
The National Coordinator, LIFE-ND, Mr Abiodun Sanni, disclosed this on Thursday at the disbursement of the IFAD Flood Recovery and Intervention Funds and Inputs Distribution to the Flood Victims at Aboh, Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta.
Sanni said the intervention fund had become necessary to provide succour to the LIFE-ND project beneficiaries who were affected by flood that wreaked havoc on communities where the incubatees beneficiaries) located their businesses.
He noted that the LIFE-ND project was initiated by the Federal Government of Nigeria, with loan from IFAD and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and being implemented in nine states of the Niger Delta Region.
Sanni, represented by the NDDC Representative in LIFE-ND, Mrs Stella Manureh, said that the day’s event was unique because it afforded the National Project Coordinator opportunity to inaugurate the newly completed Cassava Processing Mill in Aboh by Delta LIFE-ND Coordination Office.
According to Sanni, the overall goal of LIFE-ND project is “transformation of the rural economy in which all rural population can derive prosperity and equal benefit.
“It is supported by a strategic Project Development Objective (PDO) which is to enhance income, food security, and jobs creation for rural youths and women through agribusiness development which are enhanced on sustainable basis.
“I will like to express my deep gratitude to IFAD for this kind gesture in sharing solidarity and compassion towards the project and the beneficiaries for all the losses suffered as a result of the devastating effect of the flood.
“And for providing a catalytic and timely support and approving the sum of $600,000 US dollar to the entire affected participating states and the LGAs of the region.
“For Delta State, a total sum of N9.76 million was approved to provide support for 48 beneficiaries across the severely flood affected LGAs; Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, Ethiope East and Ughelli North LGAs.
“The flood victims are to receive inputs in the form of fertilisers, poultry feeds, fish feeds, cassava stems, day old chicks, juveniles among others and cash disbursements,” he said.
While urging the beneficiaries to effectively utilise the flood recovery intervention fund, he lauded IFAD for the understanding and timely intervention and thanked the Aboh community for their support.
