By Idris Khalid
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi Thursday distributed 655 units of Keke Napep under the second phase of the initiative and 154 units of commercial motor vehicles for the improvement of transport system in the state.
He said during the distribution exercise in Bauchi that it was part of his administration's readiness to give citizens the opportunity to participate in more viable economic activities for self reliance.
According to him, the idea to initiate and undertake the vital projects was convinced out of his sincere hope, care and concern towards moving the state out of poverty.
He explained that the combined projects of Keke Napep and Commercial Motor vehicles were executed under the umbrella of what the planners termed and called Kaura Economic Empowerment Programme(KEEP 2020).
While commissioning the two projects, Governor Bala Mohammed said the 3rd components of disbursing interest free commercial loans to traders and artisans in the state is at concluding stage.
Under the programme, he said, money in cash will be released to the leadership of the traders through the Ministry of Cooperatives to arrange, disburse and recover same at the appropriate time.
"The same Ministry is now recovering what was disbursed by the previous administration for further release to fresh beneficiaries as revolving scheme."
He stated that the three components of the programme became a necessary alternative for the state government to create, initiate and open more avenues for the empowerment of unemployed youths.
"Since Government cannot accommodate all its workers, room for private sector driven activities needs to be expanded."
In their separate remarks, the Speaker, Bauchi State House of Assembly, Abubakar Y Sulaiman and State Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Hamza Koshe Akuyam applauded Governor Bala Mohammed for fulfilling most of his campaign promises especially in the area of empowerment.
The Commissioner of Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Alhaji Modibbo Ahmed has earlier expressed gratitude to the Governor for supporting the Ministry to come up with various empowerment initiatives for poverty reduction.
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