Bauchi Governor empowers 1,000 people in two LGAs

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has empowered 1000 people in Itas Gadau and Jama’are Local Government Areas of the State.

The empowerment Programme is a continuation of the Kaura Economic Empowerment Programme (KEEP) aimed at reducing poverty and creating employment among youths and women across the State.

The beneficiaries received the empowerment facilities which included cars, motorcycles, grinding machines, sewing machines, vulcanising kits, livestock, poultry, fishing as well as cash among others to enable them to startup businesses.

Flagging off the Programme in Itas and Jama’are local government areas of the state on Sunday, the Governor said that the economic programme had earlier been launched in Zaki, Gamawa, Ganjuwa, Darazo, Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro local government areas.

According to him, the programme is a deliberate effort by the government to holistically address the problem of unemployment and poverty in the state, especially among youths and women.

In his words, “Under this programme, a total of 1,000 tricycles also known as Keke Napep have been distributed to Okada riders popularly called Achaba, as soft loans. It is a revolving loan with an open repayment so that other sets of Achaba riders will benefit from it.

“I am very happy to say that the programme is very successful and we have no default in terms of payment and very soon, we will give another set of 1,000 tricycles by the grace of God.

“154 buses have been procured and distributed to members of the public as a self-revolving loan. I am happy to note that commuters are using these buses across the state and country.

“The package of the Kaura Economic Empowerment Programme been launched today is not different from the other Six LGAs where the programme was earlier launched.

“The items distributed to the beneficiaries will include N50,000 cash for 500 persons per LGA, three motorcycles for each of the wards of the LGAs and N100,000 cash to be given to women and youth leaders in each local government area, while buses will be given to each LGAs.”

He commended law makers, politicians and other appointees that are empowering people with their scarce resources.

The Governor said his government introduced empowerment programmes after construction of roads, schools, hospitals and other infrastructures across the nooks and crannies of the state.

He said the contract for the building was given to indigenous contractors to empower them across the state.