As part of its program of shared prosperity, the Kwara State Government has presented a cheque of N100m loan to artisans in the state. This is coming on the heels of a One billion Naira car loan granted to civil servants in the state.

Making the presentation yesterday at the Banquet Hall in Ilorin, the state governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed also directed the Sixteen Local Government Councils in the State to initiate similar revolving Credit Scheme for all Artisans in their areas for them to have access to funds to boost their businesses.

Governor Ahmed said the flag-off of the One hundred Million Naira revolving micro-credit for the Artisans was to take the people closer to the dream of an economically vibrant informal sector in view of government emphasis on small business promotion under the Shared Prosperity Program.

"I am pleased to note that the Kwara State entrepreneurship scheme which started with N250m in 2012 has grown to a cumulative N418m with 1017 cooperative groups benefitting so far", Ahmed said. He directed all ministries, departments and agencies in the State to patronize the Kwara State Artisans Congress with the sixteen local government councils to do the same, saying that the era in which Artisans from neighboring countries receive preference in terms of patronage was over.

Governor said government determination to fund the state Artisans Congress was because they are important to the economic development of the State and deserve all necessary support. "Besides, it is part of our strategies to address the problem of unemployment, reduce poverty and boost the economic wellbeing of our people in tangible ways", the Governor noted.

He further emphasized that the loan was not to be considered as part of government largesse, but should be seen as a revolving fund to be recouped and made available to other members.

In his address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour Matters, Comrade Bisi Fakayode said the initiative for the loan scheme for Artisans had made skilled workers to be more viable and productive through cross fertilization of ideas among them.

Comrade Fakayode said each affiliated self-employed Artisans group were mandated to register a cooperative society with the Ministry of Commerce for easy access to the revolving loans.

He added that all the forty seven identified self employed groups that registered under the umbrella body of Kwara Artisans Congress have been fully certified by the Ministry of Commerce to access the loan.