Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
In it efforts to better the economy of Youths and Women in the state , the Taraba State Government has flagged off thedisbursement of grants to beneficiaries of Micro and Small Enterprises.
The State Coordinator, Taraba Cares Micro and Small Enterprises, Polycarp Adi, during the flagg off of Micro and Small Enterprises disbursement support grants, at the Camp View event center in Jalingo, said that the sum of Four hundred and forty-two million naira ( N442, 000.000) has been processed for disbursement to 7,015 eligible beneficiaries.
“The flagg off of the disbursement of the grant is aimed at empowering entrepreneurs, creating jobs and stimulate economic growth which is in line with the development agenda of the present administration.
“To our beneficiaries, congratulations on being successful for this grant and it is our expectation that the funds will be deployed for its intended purposes with a view to contributing to the economic prosperity of Taraba activities.
“I appeal to you to reject the temptation of using the funds on your social and ineligible activities.
“You should be further reminded that the grant disbursement program is designed to provide financial support, enabling you to expand operations, improve productivity, create initiative will have a ripple effect, impacting not only your business but to create more jobs and overcome challenges.
“We are confident that this Taraba Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus Community businesses but also your families, employees, and the broader (TRCARES), Micro and Small Enterprises.
According to him, his team are ready to be deployed to provide benefitting businesses with guidance, training, monitoring and grievance redress to ensure the achievement of the primary objective of the program.
He express his profound gratitude to Governor Dr Agbu Kefas for his support in making the initiative possible.
“The commitment of the Governor towards fostering Entrepreneurship and Economic development is highly commendable.
In his remarks, the Commissioner Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industries, Hon. Peter George said that the objective of this exercise is to empower local businesses, stimulate economic growth, and create jobs in various communities.
“You may wish to note that in the year 2020, the Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the World Bank initiated a programme known as Nigeria Covid-19 Action for Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG CARES) tailored towards states’ specific need(s).
“Consequently, Taraba State Government, like other states in Nigeria, domesticated the programme as Taraba Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (TR CARES) with interest in the micro and Small
enterprises sub sector amongst others.
According to him, the Support initiative for our micro and Small enterprises is leveraged under the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry with the core mandate to preventing
the collapse and facilitating the recovery of micro and small enterprises in the state.
“We are here today to flag off thedisbursement of Operational Support Grants to eligible micro and smal enterprises. Beneficiaries are therefore admonished to use these funds judiciously,strengthen your businesses,
stimulate economic growth and improve the livelihood of our communities.
“The Federal Govermment and the World Bank are redesigning the programme to address and respond to the current realities in the country.
“All things being equal, a redesigned Programme to be known as “Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) 2.0” will be unveiled in the country by January 2025.
“It is our conviction that this will increase the capacity and scope of the programme in the
participating states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“May I therefore appeal to us all to join hands in the Moving Forward vision of His Excellency, Dr. Agbu kefas for the development of the state – he said.
Speaking, the Taraba State Governor Dr Agbu Kefas represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Aminu Alkali said that the present administration is committed to reducing poverty to the bearest minimum amongst its citizens, thereby disbursement of the funds to Micro and Small Businesses.
“Thousands of Youths and Women will continue to benefit from the grants which is aimed at improving the general welfare and well- being of the people.
He Congratulate the beneficiaries for being successful for the grant.
“I urge you to deploy the funds for the purpose intended with a view to contributing to the economic prosperity of the state – he said.
In his goodwill messages, the Chief of Staff, Dr. Jeji Williams, said:
“In 1939, the World witnessed economic recession, difficulties cut across all sectors and the world become difficult.
“This situation was repeated in the year 2020, it was against this backdrop that many ways were talking solve the situation.
He commended Governor Dr Agbu Kefas for his human capital development, and urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the grant to improve their wellbeing, adding that it will go a long way in changing their lives for the better.
“As Government, we have a responsibility of saving lives. It is for this reason that various palliative measures came in.
He congratulated the beneficiaries and reminded them that the grant is designed to provide financial support, enabling beneficiaries to expand operations, improve productivity, create more jobs and over come challenges.
“Implimenters of the program are confident that initiatives like this will have a ripple effect, impacting not only their businesses, but members of their families, employees and beyond the boarder communities of the country.
“It is our responsibility to provide Social amenities to our people.
“From now onward, all agencies responsible for such activities will continue providing relief to our people – he said.
The Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus known as TARABACARES, Micro and Small Enterprises, is a World Bank and Federal Government assisted project in collaboration with Taraba State Government.
Beneficiaries are to join the Micro and Small Enterprises across the Globe in an effort to better the economy of the state and uplifting their standard of living.
Checks were presented to some of the beneficiaries, while the Taraba Cultural Troop added color to the event.