Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi has disbursed a N45 million grant from the social investment program to promote the growth of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises to 100 Small Business Owners in the state over the weekend (SMEs).
Governor Fayemi, represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akin Oyebode, stated that the program was designed to ease the financial hardships and other social economic difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fayemi reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to policies specifically designed to reduce poverty among the Ekiti people by providing motivated children, women, and men with business opportunities.
He said: “The programme is an offshoot of EK-CARES initiative, and falls under the pillar 3 of the social investment agenda.
According to the governor, “I appreciate the federal government initiative in collaboration with the world bank at ameliorating the various challenges encountered by entrepreneurs during the pandemic.
“I charge the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the grant for the growth of their businesses. The World Bank officials and independent verification agents shall be visiting the beneficiaries to measure the impact of the grant.”
The Director-General of MEDA in Ekiti State, Kayode Fasae, hailef Fayemi for his interest in alleviating poverty among Ekiti residents, who he said have been badly affected by the scourge of COVID-19.
Fasae said: “The beneficiaries have been drawn from all the local government areas and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) through three delivery platforms.”
The State Head of Service, Bamidele Agbede; Chief Executive Officer of BOSAK Micro Finance Bank, Mr. Kola Bello, and state CARES Coordinator, Bukola Ogunlade, also urged the beneficiaries to channel the money to what it is meant for.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Kolade Joshua from Emure Ekiti commended the state government for deeming it necessary to cushion the effect of income-loss caused by COVID-19, and promised to make judicious use of the grant given to them.
