The Kaura Economic Empowerment Programme (KEEP) has empowered 1,000 women and youths from Bogoro and Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State as part of efforts by the state government to improve the living standard of the people of the state.
KEEP is an initiative of the Bauchi State government to empower women and youths with incentives that will alleviate poverty and provide them with job opportunities in the state.
The beneficiaries were empowered with motorcycles, grinding machines, sewing machines, makeup kits, shoemaking machines, among others.
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The Bauchi State Governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, flagged-off of the programme in the two local government areas of the state on Monday.
He said that the economic programme was earlier launched in Zaki, Gamawa, Ganjuwa, Darazo local government areas, pointing out that the programme is a deliberate effort to holistically address the problem of unemployment and poverty in the state, especially among youths and women.
Governor Mohammed said that as a responsive and responsible government, it is not unmindful of the economic hardship experienced by the majority of people of the state, adding that it has taken it upon itself to address the hardship with all seriousness.
“Under dis programme, a total of 1,000 tricycles also known as Keke Napep has been distributed to Okada riders popularly called Acaba, as a soft loan. It is a revolving loan with an open repayment that other sets of Acaba riders will benefit from.
“I am very happy to say that the programme is very successful and we have no default in terms of payment and very soon, we will give another set of 1,000 tricycles by the grace of God. 154 buses have been procured and distributed to members of the public as a self revolving loan. I am happy to note that commuters are using these buses across the state and country.
“The package of the Kaura Economic Empowerment Programme being launched today is not different from the other four LGAs where the programme was earlier launched. The items distributed to the beneficiaries will include N50,000 cash for 500 persons per LGA, three motorcycles for each of the wards of the LGAs and N100,000 cash to be given to women and youth leaders in each local government area while buses will be given to each LGAs”, the Governor said.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of Bogoro LGA, Iliya Habila, commended the state government initiative of empowering residents in the state in order to improve their standard of living, saying that the unprecedented developmental strides recorded in the state are due to the conscious decision of the government to ensure fairness, justice and service delivery.
He said that the people of the local government have benefited immensely from various developmental projects which include the Mallar-Lusa-Bogoro and Boi-Tapshin road project, rehabilitation of water scheme amongst others just as he thanked Governor Mohammed for alleviating the plights of people when flood-ravaged the area.
