Bayelsa State has disbursed N200,000 each to over 1,260 women and youths from the 105 wards in eight local government areas as empowerment package to boast their business and grow the state’s economy.
The empowerment programme, tagged “Women and Youths Empowerment Programme,” launches in February 2022 to empower Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) owners in the state.
The Chairperson of the Seven-man Committee for the Disbursement and Monitoring of the Scheme, Mrs. Faith Opene, who spoke during the cash disbursement in Yenagoa, affirmed the commitment of the state government under the administration of Governor Douye Diri, to enhance the economy of the state through SMEs.
According to Opene, Governor Diri told business owners that his administration will empower two business owners with N200,000 per month in each ward of the eight local governments till the conclusion of his first term.
Opene, who also serves as the state’s commissioner for women’s, children’s, empowerment, and social development, urged recipients to invest the funds wisely and control the state’s economy rather than handing it over to non-indigenes.
She said: “the programme is to encourage those that are already in business across the eight local government areas to grow their businesses.”
She emphasized that no political factors were taken into account when choosing the beneficiaries of the empowerment program and warned the beneficiaries that the government would monitor them to make ensure they used the funds for the intended purpose.
A few of the beneficiaries of the N200,000 cash each thanked Governor Diri and promised that they would spend the money judiciously.
Mrs. Ebomotimi Waripamo a beneficiary having received N200,000 claimed the fund will allow her to expand her local bread (Madiga) making business.
