Bala distributes N150m worth of support packages to 1000 people in LGAs

By Samuel Luka

In his administration’s continued effort to reduce poverty among women and youths, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has distributed empowerment packages worth N150 million to 1000 beneficiaries in Warji and Ningi Local Government Areas of the state.

The Governor, while flagging-off the distribution of the packages in Warji and Ningi yesterday, noted that the two LGs were among the 15th and 16th out of the 20 across the state to benefit from the government’s gesture under the Kaura Economic Empowerment Programme (KEEP).

Governor Bala said that the KEEP is expected to cover all the 20 local government areas of the state, explaining that so far, the exercise has covered 80 per end of the State.

Bala said the aim of the intervention is to make the citizens self-reliant through the provision of the wherewithal and conducive environment to enable them be economically productive.

He said that the programme has been designed to boost economic activities of the beneficiaries in order to address the problems of unemployment and alleviate poverty among the citizens, especially the vibrant youth and women.

“The programme initially took-off with the distribution of 1,000 tricycles (Keke NAPEP) to the erstwhile Commercial motorcycle riders, popularly referred to as ‘yan achaba”, the Governor said.

“As you all know the tricycles were given out as revolving loan so that upon repayment other people would also benefit from the progrmme. In addition to the 1000 tricycles, a total of 154 buses have also been procured and distributed to members of the public also as revolving loan”, he added.

According to him since the commencement of the programme an average of seventy five million Naira (N75,000,000:00), in both cash and kind has been distributed to some selected beneficiaries in each of the Local Governments where the programme has so far been launched.

The governor pointed out that same gesture was being replicated in Ningi and Warji Local Governments where Selected beneficiaries would be given starter packs and N50,000 cash for 500 persons per Local Government.

He said three motor cycles have been provided in each of the wards of the 20 Local Governments, adding that the beneficiaries include Ward PDP Chairmen, Ward Coordinators and Ward Youth leaders.

Bala further said, “Provision of N100,000.00 cash have been made to women leaders and youth leaders in each of the 20 Local Governments as well as Provision of five buses to each of the 20 Local Governments.”

Governor said his dministration have put in place the Bauchi State Microfinance Institution Building Programme (MIFIN) to complement the Kaura Economic Empowerment Programme with 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.

The ultimate goal is to enhance access of the poor to financial services so as to boost the productivity of micro and small scale enterprises, thereby, reducing poverty.”

In their separate remarks, the chairmen of warji, and Ningi, Mohammed Danjummai and Mahmud Hassan Tabla expressed appreciation to the governor for carrying his people along in delivering dividends of democracy.

The chairmen commended the Governor for the ongoing renovation of the 20 local government Secretariats in the state.

They called on the beneficiaries not to sell the items but make good use of them in order to become self-reliant.