As part of renewed efforts to empower youths, eradicate poverty, create job and improve the welfare of the people, the Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano has earmarked over N1 billion for loan to small scale entrepreneurs in the state.
The loan was part of Governor Obiano’s poverty alleviation programme in the state for better traders, cottage industrialists, artisans, and those in the Agricultural sector.
Preparatory to the assessment of the loan, the state through its agency, the Anambra State Small Business Agency (ASBA) organized an empowerment workshop for all small entrepreneurs in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.
Obiano who was represented by his deputy, Dr Nkem Okeke at the workshop while addressing the expectants beneficiaries of the loans told the people of the state to exercise patience as his administration would make sure that development reaches to every nook and cranny of the state.
He noted that no part of the state would be given attention more than others and urged those that have interest for the loan scheme to feel free to access it with little interest and a surety.
The Chairman on the occasion and APGA chieftain in Idemili Local Government Area, Mr Raphael Asha Nnabuife, who was once a transitional chairman of the council commended Governor Obiano for rolling out huge amount of money as loan for small scale enttrepreneurs in the state.
He urged the petty traders, artisans, farmers and industrialists in the area to embrace the micro loan scheme and promised to provide N15 million for those that would access the loan from the council area as their surety.
Okeke commended the developmental initiatives of the state governor whom he noted had introduced various programmes to improve the welfare of the masses.
He also urged the members of the public to support the administration that has a human face.
He noted that the sensitization workshop organized by Anambra State Small Business Agency in conjunction with Idemili North Chapter of APGA was in the magnanimity of Governor Obiano to eradicate poverty in the area and urged the people to avail themselves of the opportunity.
Nnabuife explained that he was guaranteeing N5million for small scale loan seekers who are petty traders, house wives, and artisans who wanted to collect loan ranging from N50,000 to N500,000 and an additional N10million for people who wanted to invest in small scale industries who could employ about two to 10 people, but don’t have collateral for such loans.
Other APGA chieftains who donated money to surety interested beneficiaries included Chief Ifeanyi Ibezi, the party candidate for Idemili North and South constituency who pledged N5million; Chief Ifeanyi Udokwu, former deputy chairman of APGA in the state N2million; Chief Tochukwu Megbuanaeze, member representing Idemili North Local Government Area in the Anambra State House of Assembly who donated part of his salaries, among others.
The Managing Director of ASBA, Mr Clem Chukwuka in his remarks explained the modalities for the loan scheme and the importance for the people to access it, noting that the state government had put up the loan scheme to ameliorate the suffering of the people, as well as improve the welfare of the poor.
Chukwuka noted that the loan would be repaid at the end of the year with little interest depending on the amount one wanted to access and thanked the governor for the opportunity given to the people of the state to be self-reliant.
