In 2021, Our STATE CARES Programme Will Provide Resources To Support Our SMEs By Strengthening Their Trade Cooperatives.

In May 2021, Governor Fayemi inaugurated a nine-man steering committee to drive the implementation of the Ekiti COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (STATE CARES) programme, a World Bank-supported initiative. The programme was designed to support farmers, artisans, and Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) affected by the pandemic. The committee, chaired by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, was tasked with supervising coordination, delivery systems, and achieving 11 Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIS). The programme operated through three Result Areas: Social Transfers (cash grants), Food Security (implemented by FADAMA), and SME Recovery (implemented by MEDA.

By April 2022, Fayemi presented cheques totalling N360 million to 24 communities under the STATE CARES programme for community infrastructure projects. Benefiting communities included Igogo-Ekiti, Imila Odo-Ayedun, Odo-Owa, Ikole-Ekiti, and Okosola Ayegunle, receiving between N12.8 million and N14.6 million each. The funds supported projects in education, healthcare, water, and sanitation. The programme also provided livelihood grants, labour-intensive public works, and community infrastructure services, directly strengthening trade cooperatives and supporting SME recovery from the pandemic-induced economic crisis.