Date: 2009-04-28

The Kwara State Government has earmarked the sum of N200 million as loan for Youth Empowerment Scheme to address the problem of Youth restiveness in the State.

Commissioner for Information and Home Affairs, Mr Ben Duntoye disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the meeting between the State Governor, Dr Bukola Saraki and the Local Government Councils’ Chairmen in the State.
 
The loan, according to the Commissioner, is to be sourced through a Micro-Finance Bank on a ratio of 60:40% between the State Government and the Local Government Councils.

Mr Duntoye explained that any interested youth can access the loan through the designated bank upon the provision of a guarantor by the would-be beneficiary.

Similarly, he also hinted that the Federal government has set aside a whooping sum of N200 billion through the Central Bank of Nigeria as special fund, to support agricultural development under which, an interested farmer could access 20% of the fund as loan.

On the distribution of fertilizer procured by the State Government, the Commissioner said the Council bosses have been urged to ensure that the fertilizer gets to the real farmers, reiterating the commitment of the State Government to continue to subsidize the commodity to make it affordable.

He also disclosed that registration of farmers has commenced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources in order to have a data base for the real farmers in the State.

Duntoye, however, called for maximum cooperation and support of the Councils’ Chairmen so as to achieve a success of the policies and programmes of the State Government.

Also speaking, the chairman of the State Branch of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Alhaji Toyin Sanusi pledged the maximum support of his colleagues to the State Government at all times.
 

Mas’ud Adebimpe

Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor

28/04/09