The federal government, through an initiative called Government Enterprises and Empowerment Programme ( GEEP), targets empowerment of over one million Nigerians by 2018.
This was disclosed on Thursday in Osogbo by the Executive Director of Bank of Industry, Toyin Adeniji, at the flag-off of GEEP in Osun state.
At present, Adeniji said over 400,000 Nigerians spread across the 744 local government and 36 states and Abuja, have been empowered with various amount of money under the programme.
She said Bank of Industry has the list of accredited associations of market men and women, artisans and business owners in the state, adding that, whoever wants to join the scheme, must belong to any of the accredited associations.
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She further explained that whoever wants to seek the loan must have a bank account with BVN, adding that the loan is interest-free and payable within six months while the maximum amount that can be drawn under the programme is N100,000.
Restating the resolve of Buhari’s administration to empower Nigerians, Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, while declaring the programme open, said if those in government resist urging to steal, the nation’s resources can go round to serve general good of all.
Osinbajo said the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) was in power because Nigerians, especially those on the streets supported its aspirations to assume leadership.
Speaking further, the vice president said: “When I arrived here I have seen for myself some products that should be supported by our administration. We worked so hard before getting here and we owe our being in government to Nigerians on the streets. They supported us and brought us here.
“Our government will continue to work very hard to support them by making available resources to boost their businesses. We will be prudent. Ours is a government that does not steal. On this trip, NAFDAC, SON, BOI and CAC accompanied me.
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“Their officials will listen to complaints of business owners and try to deal with them immediately. Before we leave Osun, all these agencies of government will open an office under one roof in Osun here. The office will attend to complaints from business owners and handle them.”
In his remarks, Governor Rauf Aregbsola said for those ready to do business, there are abundant opportunities to create wealth and urged citizens of the state to key into GEEP to improve their businesses.
Speaking earlier, the state Commissioner for Commerce, Industries and Cooperatives, Mr Ismaila Adekunle Jayeoba-Alagbada said that the state government has mobilised and sensitised all stakeholders to ensure the success of the programme.
He said that the main objective of GEEP, an initiative of the federal government is in tandem with the various socio-economic intervention programmes of the state.
Jayeoba-Alagbada said further that the state under the leadership of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in collaboration with Central Bank of Nigeria through the State Micro Credit Agency disbursed a sum of N3.5b to over 33,000 individuals interest-free.
BOLA BAMIGBOLA, Osogbo
