The Kwara State House of Assembly yesterday granted the request of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed to secure N2 billion loan from Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Development Fund of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Deputy Speaker of the House, Prof Gana Yissa, who presided over the plenary, announced the lawmakers' approval of the governor's request.

Ahmed in his letter of request said the state government had on August 19, 2014, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the CBN on how to facilitate the emergence of small and medium scale enterprises and businesses in the state.

He said the legislative approval of the benefiting states was part of the requirements to access the fund.

He said other state governments were already utilizing the opportunity for the benefit of their citizenry.

The deputy speaker urged the government to use the fund for the intended purpose.

Gana said, "This approval of the governor's request is very necessary in view of the great opportunity therein."

He said the state government would provide irrevocable standing payment order for the beneficiaries of the loan.

The Deputy Speaker later directed the Clerk of the House, Mr. Oyetunde Oyeniyi to inform the governor of the approval of his request.