Economy
BAUCHI State Government says it has earmarked N300 million to support businesses to accelerate growth of Small and Medium Scale Entreprises (SMEs).
The Commissioner for Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises, Hajiya Sa’adatu Kirfi said this at the inauguration of the Kaura Economic Empowerment Programme (KEEP), on Saturday in Azare, headquarters of Katagum Local Government Area.
The gesture, she said, would boost trade and enhance wealth creation for sustainable social and economic development of the state.
“The money will be disburse to business community any moment from now,” she said.
According to her, the KEEP scheme is in fulfilment of the promise of the present administration, adding that economic strengthening items worth N75 million would be distributed to youth and women in the area.
She said that 9,500 persons had so far benefited from the programme in 19 LGAs since inception of the scheme.
“The KEEP programme initiated by this administration to address issues of unemployment through increased access to entrepreneurship and improved employability of youth and women,” she said.
The Commissioner urged the beneficiaries to ensure effective utilisation of the items and engage in productive activities to enable them to become self-reliant.
Meanwhile, Gov. Bala Mohammed has performed the ground breaking ceremony of the Azare Ultra Modern market project.
He said the project would be executed through Public Private Partnership (PPP), adding the move was a deliberate policy to improve the economic fortune of the state.
He said under the PPP arrangement, the state government allocated land while a private firm, Modern Shelter System and Service Ltd would execute the project.
“In line with the decision to execute the project through PPP, the state government has engaged Modern Shelter System and Service Limited to carry out the construction and upgrade of Azare market to an Ultra Modern service,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Abdulmalik Mhadi, General Manager of the company, said the market was designed with modern facilities, adding that the project would create about 1,000 direct and indirect jobs.
He also assured readiness to complete the project on scheduled. (NAN)
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Tags: Bala Mohammed Hajiya Sa’adatu Kirfi SMEs
