16,950 BENEFIT FROM CONDITIONAL TRANSFERS UNDER AK-CARES IN AKWA IBOM
No fewer than 16,950 residents of Akwa Ibom State have benefited from conditional social transfers under the Akwa Ibom State COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus programme (AK-CARES), as the state government reports improved budget performance and revenue growth.
The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Linus Nkan, disclosed this during a ministerial media briefing organised by the Ministry of Information, where he reviewed the ministry’s contributions to Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda.
Nkan said the state also supported 15,660 residents through labour-intensive public works, while 10,408 people received livelihood grants. He added that 118 micro projects reached approximately 153,288 residents.
Other interventions included the rehabilitation of 76 rural roads, distribution of agricultural assets to 12,309 residents, upgrading of 28 wet markets and grants to 3,562 small-business operators.
On budget performance, the commissioner said Akwa Ibom recorded 86.6 per cent in 2023, while revenue generation in 2024 exceeded projections by 15 per cent, representing 115 per cent of the estimated target.
He explained that the state’s budget increased from a revised ₦850 billion in 2023 to ₦923.4 billion in 2024, with expenditure performance reaching 69.2 per cent based on actual revenue.
According to him, budget performance stood at 84.4 per cent in 2025, while the ₦1.5 trillion 2026 budget recorded 64.6 per cent performance between January and September.
The commissioner attributed the improvements partly to the establishment of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, which harmonises budgeting and economic planning to promote effective resource allocation.
He said the ministry also coordinates the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, monitors revenue generation and oversees development partnerships to strengthen fiscal planning and accountability.
Nkan reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to prudent financial management and efficient utilisation of public resources to sustain development and advance the ARISE Agenda.
