Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, has announced a N1 billion empowerment package to support 2,000 small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) across the 17 local government areas of Abia State.
Kalu disclosed that the intervention is designed to provide direct financial support to businesses operating within communities across the state, with each beneficiary expected to receive about N500,000. He described the programme as a deliberate effort to strengthen grassroots entrepreneurship and expand economic opportunities for young business owners.
According to him, the empowerment package is aimed at boosting local productivity, sustaining existing businesses, and encouraging the growth of new enterprises within Abia State. “This N1 billion empowerment initiative is structured to reach 2,000 SMEs across all 17 local government areas of the state,” Kalu said.
He explained that the spread across all local governments was intentional, to ensure fairness and inclusiveness, noting that small businesses remain the backbone of the local economy. “Each selected business will receive about N500,000 to help them scale operations, stabilize cash flow, and improve service delivery,” he stated.
Kalu added that the initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to reduce unemployment and support wealth creation at the community level. He said SMEs play a critical role in job creation, especially for young people, and helping them directly would have a multiplier effect on local economies.
The Deputy Speaker noted that beneficiaries would be drawn from different sectors, reflecting the diversity of businesses operating in Abia State. He said the focus is on practical support that can make an immediate impact rather than short-term relief.
This empowerment package is not just about funding, it is about giving small business owners the capacity to grow, employ more people, and contribute meaningfully to economic development across the state,” Kalu said.
He further stated that the programme is expected to stimulate economic activities within markets, neighborhoods, and business clusters across Abia, adding that supporting SMEs remains a sustainable path to inclusive growth.
Kalu assured that the implementation process would be structured to ensure transparency and effective distribution across the 17 local government areas. He emphasized that the goal is to make sure the funds reach genuine business owners who are actively contributing to the state’s economy.
He said the N1 billion empowerment package reflects a broader commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and strengthening the economic base of Abia State through targeted SME interventions.
