By Junaid Abdullahi
The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has disbursed loans to 98 microbusiness owners and operators in the Local Government Areas of Ekiti State.
The Director-General of NDE, Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, who spoke during the disbursement in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, revealed that the scheme was part of the agency’s measures to create wealth and reduce poverty in society.
He noted that the beneficiaries were selected to benefit from the Micro Enterprise Enhancement Loan Scheme (MEELS) of the Small Scale Enterprise Department of the Directorate.
The DG, represented by the NDE State Coordinator, Sanusi Akeem, said each of the beneficiaries would be given N20,000 to support their microbusinesses.
He said the federal government, through the agency, would not relent in its effort to ensure employment opportunities are provided for the youths, “With the aim of creating jobs and reducing poverty in the country.”
According to him, “The overall objectives of the scheme are:
To boost the economy through leveraging and access to finance for petty traders and other small business owners.
To enhance the operational capacity of existing microenterprise owners to expand their business and, in turn, improve their earnings.
To create jobs by employing people to assist in running and expanding businesses.
“It is on this note that I wish to congratulate today’s beneficiaries and urge you all to avail yourselves of this privilege to enhance your income-generating potentials.You should also note that the loan will have a moratorium of three (3) months before you start paying back, and it is repayable within one year so that other people could benefit as well.”
He commended the Ekiti State government for the collaboration with the directorate and “for being a good partner in combating poverty in the state.”
