The Kwara State Government on Wednesday commenced the distribution of a whopping sum of N600million grant to empower at least 30,000 women and petty traders across the 16 local governments area of the state.
The Acting General Manager, Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP), Abdulqowiyu Olododo, disclosed this during disbursement exercise at Asa, Ilorin West and Ilorin South respectively.
He said that the disbursement of other local governments are scheduled for the coming days.
According to him, the support which is being coordinated under the state government is a replica of World Bank programme, Nigeria for Women Project, with each of the beneficiaries receiving N20,000 to support their trades.
“We are paying N20,000 each to 30,000 petty traders across the State.
“As I speak, enumeration is still ongoing to accommodate more people. But we needed to kick-start the payment.
“From now till Saturday, we will be paying the first batch of the beneficiaries.
” And subsequently like a week or so, disbursement for the new entrants will continue. We are doing Ilorin West, South and Asa today.
“We should be able to cover about 3000 beneficiaries of them under the first tranche”, Olododo said.
He dismissed speculations that the selection process was political, saying the list was a product of consultations with relevant stakeholders, including trade groups, in the affected locations.
In his remarks, the TIC Chairman for Asa, Alhaji Abduganiy Saadu, said the concept is people-focused and one that will go a long way in reviving several businesses, and hailed the gesture of the state government.
Some of the beneficiaries, who spoke to newsmen, expressed their joy for the financial support and applauded the process leading to their pick.
Mrs. Kabira Nasirdeen, who is vending foodstuffs, said the money will help strengthen her business, thanking Gov. AbdulRazaq for the business-friendly initiative.
Mrs. Ishola Memuna, a Gari seller, prayed for AbdulRazaq for coming to their rescue through such empowerment.
