Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Abia State Government said it had concluded arrangements to disburse N1 billion to 9,200 traders and Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) operators in the state to help boost their trades.
Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, who disclosed this during a press briefing in Umuahia, said 50 persons from each of the 184 political wards in the state would benefit from the interest-free revolving loan scheme.
He explained that the scheme which is an interventionist programme is a form of palliative as well as an empowerment programme that would help the beneficiaries turn their lives around for the better.
“The short, medium and long term impacts of the scheme will no doubt have a salutary effect on the state’s economy,” he said.
He further said: “In fulfilment of one of his campaign promises, His Excellency, Dr Alex Otti will on Thursday the 11th of July 2024 officially launch the disbursement of interest free Revolving Loans to Abians under the Abia State Cooperative Support Scheme.
“This is meant to support nano and micro business operators in the state. It is meant to help them in their businesses.
“It will help to ameliorate the difficulties people are experiencing in their businesses as a result of the economic headwinds that are currently affecting the nations economy,” Prince Kanu stated.
The Commissioner decried the rising incidents of vandalisation in public schools and property in the state, a situation he said government would no longer tolerate.
He said that such acts of vandalism must stop forthwith and urged community leaders including Traditional Rulers and President Generals and other stakeholders to take ownership of the public schools in their communities.
“We found out that people are busy trying to vandalise school properties and this ugly trend needs to be stopped so that the effort the government is making at reforming the education sector will not be in vain.”
The Information boss announced that henceforth enforcement against street trading and illegal motor park operations in Aba and Umuahia would commence and advised those engaging in such acts to desist forthwith.
Contributing, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, said the government has so far shown understanding and applied human face to the enforcement and would now act accordingly.
“Now we want to get into enforcement, having pleaded with our people for the past three months, we believe we have done enough, we owe all Abians a duty to ensure our cities are safe, that’s what we want to achieve and that is in the interest of all Abians,” Prince Nwachukwu stated.
Also, speaking, the Commissioner for Finance , Mr. Mike Akpara, clarified that contrary to the rumours making the rounds that he takes home 10 million Naira monthly, neither him nor other Abia State government officials takes home 10 million Naira monthly from the government coffers, adding that such rumours are unfounded.
“I want to categorically state here, that the Commissioner of Finance does not take home 10 million Naira monthly . It is not done anywhere.
“I also want to say that none of my colleagues takes home such big sums of money, they said some take home 5 million, and some others 3 million naira monthly. There is nothing like that.” Mr. Akpara stressed.
The Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, and the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, were present at the briefing.
