Governor Bala distributes N160m empowerment packages to Bauchi LG beneficiaries
Samuel Luka, Bauchi
Bauchi state Governor, Bala Mohammed yesterday flagged-off the distribution of empowerment packages worth N160 million to beneficiaries of the Kaura Economic Empowerment Programme (KEEP) in Bauchi local government area of the state.
Our Corresspondent reports that before now, the programme which has covered 19 local government areas of the state, is meant to strengthen inclusive participation of citizens in meaningful ventures in order to reduce unemployment, youth restiveness and to develop the state.
Addressing the beneficiaries at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa stadium in Bauchi, the Governor said his administration will ensure that no citizen of the state is left out in the ongoing fight against poverty.
The items distributed to the beneficiaries according to the governor include motorcycles, cars, sewing machines, grinding machines, knitting machines, Jerrycans of groundnut and palm oil and cash.
Governor Bala Mohammed who explained that N50,000 cash was given to 500 beneficiaries each , noted that the programme also made provision of three motorcycles to each of the 20 wards of Bauchi local government.
He said N100,000 cash was given to women and youth leaders in each of the 20 local governments, including the Provision of five buses to each of the 20 local governments.
Bala explained that the allocation for Bauchi LGA was much higher than others due to its position as the state capital, coupled with its demographic nature and population.
He said that the empowerment initiative is being carried out by providing the beneficiaries with the wherewithal and conducive environment to be economically productive and employers of labour.
The Governor added that the programme was designed to boost the economic activities of the beneficiaries in order to address the problem of unemployment and alleviate poverty among the people, especially women and youth.
The Governor maintained that his administration has continued to pay priority attention to the empowerment of the good people of Bauchi state through job creation to alleviate poverty.
Bala Mohammed pointed out that his government has put in place the Bauchi State Microfinance Institution Building Programme (MIFIN) to complement the Kaura Economic Empowerment Programme (KEEP).
“The aim of this programme is to develop and strengthen Microfinance Institutions and establish linkages among the institutions and other financial institutions in order to create a viable and sustainable microfinance system”, he said.
Bala pointed out that the ultimate aim is to enhance access of the poor to financial services so as to boost the productivity of micro and small scale enterprises to minimize poverty.
According to him, since the commencement of the KEEP Programme in the state, an average of N75 million in both cash and kind has been distributed to some selected beneficiaries in each of the local governments.
