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Abians have been urged to take advantage of various social intervention programmes rolled out by both the State and Federal governments to engage themselves into profitable ventures. The commissioner for finance, Mr. Obinna Oriaku stated this while flagging off the Bank of Industry (BOI) Kia Kia loan programme at Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia.
The commissioner noted that the programme was designed to encapsulate many farmers and other micro, small and medium scale entrepreneurs into cooperatives to enable them access the BOI refundable, soft loans.
He however regretted that out of the 30,000 participants required of Abia State, only 5,000 beneficiaries has shown interest on the project. He also frowned at the youths whom the said, the programme was target at, had a very infinitesimal number as beneficiaries, a number which he described as discouraging and urged the youths not to allow such opportunities to slip off their fingers.
Mr. Oriaku noted which had hitherto, the BOI left Abia to neighboring States has returned to Abia following the resilience of the governor and all the apparatus put in place to attract investments to Abia State.
While addressing the audience, the president, Abia State Apex Farmers’ Society, Mr. Uzoma Nwogwugwu stated that part of their mandate was; accessing the fund from relevant authorities such as BOI, disbursement of the funds, monitoring of the disbursed funds through the cooperatives and project being run by it, and a recovery plan.
He extolled the Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu for reviving the body and making every effort to ensure that small scale businesses are encouraged to provide for products more for the consumption for the greater society.
Those in attendants included; farmers and other small and medium scale entrepreneurs.
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