Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –
Delta State Government has challenged residents and people of Okpanam, Oshimili North local government area of the state, to key into the entrepreneurial programmes and other economic projects of the state in order to improve on their economic lives and their immediate environment.
The state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, gave the charge on Monday, March 07, 2016 during the official opening ceremony of Okpanam branch of NOPOV Micro Finance Bank limited.
Ukah, an indigene of the area, bemoaned the attitude of Okpanam people towards the state government programmes particularly the state Micro Credit programme, the Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurship Programme (YAGEP) and the Skills Training Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) which he noted has been one of the viable economic platform wherein the state government is using to drive its “Prosperity For All Deltans ” vision.
While calling on them to develop change of attitude towards such programmes, Ukah stressed that contrary to people’s perception about the Prosperity agenda of the Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa administration; it is not intended towards “sharing money to Deltans”.
He said, “The Government of Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has been doing a lot to better the economic lives of Deltans. In December 2015, 1,600 farmers were enlisted across the state and they benefited from various farm inputs. But, funny enough, no indigene of Okpanam benefited because we do not know”.
“Again, the state government, through the Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (DSMSMEDA), few months ago, disbursed over N450 Million. We have also disbursed N150 Million just as we are planning to disburse yet another set of funds. In all these, I have never seen an Okpanam person collecting a cheque from this programme. Yet, some of you keep saying that government does mot want to assist you. Government will not come to you if you do not ask from government” Ukah stated.
Commending the management of NOPOV Micro Finance Bank for establishing the bank in the area, the Information Commissioner enjoined residents in the area to take advantage of the bank in accessing the state Micro Credit facilities by forming themselves into cooperative societies.
He said, “God bless you NOPOV for this that you have done for our people. This is what Okpanam need to move forward. Okpanam, this is indeed a clarion call, let us not joke with micro credit facilities; it is not for the multi-millionaires, rather it is for you to better your economic lives”.
On her part, the Executive Secretary, Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (DSMSMEDA), Mrs. Shimite Bello while urging the people to take advantage of the bank in accessing the state Micro Credit facilities, lauded the Management of the bank for siting the bank in the area.
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