Cooperative societies in Abia state will have cause to smile on thursday as the State government launches a one billion Naira Interest Free Revolving Loan under the Abia Cooperatives Scheme.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu who disclosed this at Government House , Umuahia while briefing the press on the outcome of this week’s Executive council meeting, said the gesture will benefit 9,200 Abians from the 184 wards of the state .
According to him, 50 beneficiaries have been selected from each of the 184 wards in Abia state to benefit from this first phase, adding that the scheme which is an interventionist program is at once, a form of palliative as well as an empowerment program that would help the beneficiaries turn their lives around for the better.
“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.
Prince Kanu noted with dismay, the rise in vandalism of public schools and property in the state, a situation he said government frowns at.
He called for a stop and urged President Generals of Town Unions , their Executives, Traditional Rulers 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 Commissioner announced that the enforcement of the policy against street trading and illegal motor park operations in Aba and Umuahia would commence without delay and advised those engaging in such acts to desist forthwith.
Contributing, the Commissioner for Local Goverment 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.
