Ondo Artisans Thank Aiyedatiwa Over Soft Loan, Ask Governor to Inject More Funds Into Scheme
By Dupson Collins, 24th Sept, 2024
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Artisan Matters, Daisi Komolafe, thanked the governor of Ondo State, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa over the soft loan given to the Artisans in Ondo State.
Engr Daisi appreciated the governor during the presentation of N80m cheques to Artisans in Akure on Tuesday, with intent to boost their business.
In order to boost small scale businesses and improve the economy, the Ondo state government has commenced the disbursement of Two Hundred and Twenty Two (N220m) million naira to artisans and small business owners in the state.
Speaking, while appreciating the governor, Engr Daisi asked the governor to inject more funds into the scheme saying Artisan Group in the state is over 187 different Associations.
He assured the governor of quick repayment of the loan, saying its members will make good use of the loan.
” We are appreciative of Mr Governor’s kind gesture and fully align with his plans for artisans and business owners in the state. We have a register of over three hundred thousand members of various artisan groups.
He enjoined all Artisans in the state to vote for the ruling party in the forthcoming governorship election in the state. “we will surely vote the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 16 governorship election. We are not anti government but always support government in power”.
Addressing the Artisans and other beneficiaries, the Governor who was represented by his deputy, Olayide Adelami, said the soft loan is one of his government’s strategies to boost the economy of the state, charging the beneficiaries to be faithful with repayment.
“This loan scheme is one of the strategies of our administration to tackle poverty, reduce unemployment and combat youth restiveness.
The governor further disclosed that his administration has invested massively in other areas of the economy.
He said apart from empowering the people with loans, his administration has demonstrated unwavering commitment to various policies, programmes and initiatives aimed at uplifting the people.
In her remarks, Chairman of the state Micro Credit Agency, Adenike Ademujimi, noted that Governor Aiyedatiwa prioritizes the development of Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs) as a catalyst for economic growth.
She said the disbursement will be made to groups and associations in batches and urged the benefitting groups to make prompt repayment.
On his part, the state commissioner for commerce, industries and cooperative services, Segun Ayerin, who was represented by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Toyin Oni, said the government is open to engaging artisans and business owners with novel initiatives aimed at improving the economy.
