By Oludamisi Ojo
One hundred small scale business owners in Ekiti State have benefited a sum of N45 million from the social investment programme of Ekiti State Governor, Dr’ Kayode Fayemi to boost the growth of Small and Medium Scale enterprises.
At the occasion, Fayemi, represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Mr Akin Oyebode, said the initiative was aimed at ameliorating the attendant financial constraints and other social economic challenges brought about by the covid 19 pandemic.
Fayemi reiterated the commitment of his administration to programmes explicitly tailored to mitigating poverty among Ekiti people, by opening new economic horizons for committed youths, women and men entrepreneurs.
He said: “The programme is an offshoot of EK-CARES initiative and falls under the pillar 3 of the social investment agenda.
“I appreciate the federal government initiative in collaboration with the world bank at ameliorating the various challenges encountered by entrepreneurs during the pandemic.
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“I charge the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the grant for the growth of their businesses. The world bank’s 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, applauded Fayemi for his interest in alleviating poverty among Ekiti residents, who have been badly affected by the scourge of COVID-19.
He said “the beneficiaries have been drawn from all the local government and Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs through three delivery platforms”.
The Head of Service, Barr. Bamidele Agbede, CEO BOSAK Micro Finance Bank, Mr Kola Bello and state CARES Coordinator, Bukola Ogunlade, urged the beneficiaries to channel the money to what it was meant for.
Speaking for the beneficiaries, Mr Kolade Joshua from Emure Ekiti appreciated Ekiti 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.
