| OVER 30,000 GET MICRO CREDIT LOAN IN EKITI |
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| Written by Lere Olayinka | |
| Tuesday, 15 December 2009 | |
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Over 30,000 people have benefitted from the Ekiti State Government Micro Credit Loan in the last two years, the State Governor, Engr. Segun Oni has said.
Chief Press Secretary to
the governor, Mr. Wale Ojo-Lanre said in a statement made available to
journalists that Governor Oni, while speaking on Sunday, during a
monthly live Television and Radio programme, ‘Mr. Governor Explains’
said the Micro Credit Scheme was part of his government’s efforts at
reducing poverty in the State.His words; “When we were sworn in, we identified one major problem that must be tackled and that is poverty. Because of our belief that Ekiti people must return to that era when everybody had something to do, we introduced the micro credit scheme. “We are happy today that in the last two years, over 30,000 people, that is two percent of the population of Ekiti State and close to 10 percent of the eligible population have benefitted from the scheme. “Out of these beneficiaries, we have people, who have turned N50, 000 to N2.5 million and there are also some, who got N100, 000 and did nothing with it. Therefore, it is like the parable of the Sower.” The governor, who called on beneficiaries of the scheme to work hard so as to be able to pay back the loan, said the attitude of taking loans and not wanting to pay back was not good for the system. “The Micro Credit Scheme is a reality and we are happy at the level of success that we have been able to achieve with it. This is because as far as we are concerned, it is the quickest way to banish poverty from our State. “We however wish to appeal to beneficiaries of the loan to work hard so that they can pay back the loan for other set of people to benefit. The beneficiaries, who are yet to pay back, should know that the loan is not a free gift. It is a loan and it must surely be repaid and government is going to put its feet down on this,” he said. The governor noted that as a way of strengthening the scheme and making more effective, government would encourage micro credit through micro finance institutions and cooperative societies. Scores of beneficiaries, including representatives of farmers associations, Performing Musician Association of Nigerian (PMAN), Igbo Traders Association, Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), beer sellers among others, who were featured in the programme, thanked the governor for extending the facility to them. Secretary of NIREC in the State, Reverend Eben Asawe disclosed that the organisation got N175 million micro credit loan for its member while the Chairman of Cassava Growers Association, Chief Joseph Fadahunsi said members of the association now have functional farms at Oke-Ako, Irele, Igede, Osin and Eporo. He added that they would be harvesting in March, next year. The beer sellers disclosed that 50 Deep Freezers were bought for them by the Micro Credit Agency while PMAN noted that it got musical instruments and vehicles that are now being rented out to members of the association at a very cheap rate. |
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