The Kogi State Executive Council on Wednesday approved a set aside fund of N1.56bn under the Kogi Care Initiative planned towards economic recovery and stimulus in a bid to cushion the effects of the post-Covid-19 pandemic in the state.

Speaking with newsmen after the SEC meeting, Commissioner for Finance and Budget Planning, Asiwaju Idris Ashiru, said the fund would be shared to cover three major areas.

The commissioner highlighted those area to include assistance to the vulnerable covering the elderly, underprivileged and the poor, while fund was also set aside for farmers and as well as small business owners in the state.

He noted that these areas have been seriously affected by the socio economic impact caused by the Covid-19 pandemic hence the state government made fund available to enable swift recovery from these effects.

The Commissioner noted that the program which was World Bank supported, when implemented, would reverberate the economy and as well ensure food security.

Hon. Ashiru added that the statistics of beneficiaries varied based on the result areas but estimated that over 20,000 households under the vulnerable result area would benefit from the programme.