Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi State on Thursday distributed 655 units of Keke Napep under the second phase of the initiative and 154 units of commercial motor vehicles for the improvement of the transport system in the state.
The governor during the distribution exercise in Bauchi said the distribution of the vehicles as part of his administration’s readiness to give citizens the opportunity to participate in more viable economic activities for self-reliance.
He said the idea to initiate and undertake the vital projects was convinced out of his sincere hope, care, and concern towards moving the state out of poverty.
“Today, Thursday, the 3rd of December, 2020 is very important for me as your elected Governor who has promised to serve you, hence to express my gratitude to Almighty Allah for making it possible to Commission and distribute these two vital economic tools for the benefit of our teeming number of beneficiaries, their families and the general public.”
“The combined projects of Keke Napep and Commercial Motor vehicles I am going to Commission now were executed under the umbrella of what the planners termed and called Kaura Economic Empowerment Programme(KEEP 2020).
While commissioning the two projects, Governor Bala Mohammed said the 3rd component of disbursing interest-free commercial loans to traders and artisans in the state is at the concluding stage.
According to him, under the programme, money in cash will be released to the leadership of the traders through the Ministry of Cooperatives to arrange, disburse, and recover the same at the appropriate time.
“The same Ministry is now recovering what was disbursed by the previous administration for further release to fresh beneficiaries as a revolving scheme.”
The governor said the three components of the program became a necessary alternative for the state government to create, initiate, and open more avenues for the empowerment of unemployed youths.
“Since Government cannot accommodate all its workers, room for private sector-driven activities needs to be expanded.”
“With today’s ceremony, our streets will be busier with the number of Keke Napep and our motor parks will be in activities for an improved transport opportunity.”
In their separate remarks, the Speaker, Bauchi State House of Assembly, Abubakar Y Sulaiman, and State Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Hamza Koshe Akuyam applauded Governor Bala Mohammed for fulfilling most of his campaign promises especially in the area of empowerment.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Alhaji Modibbo Ahmed expressed gratitude to the Governor for supporting the Ministry to come up with various empowerment initiatives for poverty reduction.
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