Bayelsa govt disburses N84 million grant to 420 SMEs

The Bayelsa Government on Monday disbursed a cash grant of N84 million to 420 Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) operators who are indigenes of the state.
Each of the beneficiaries got a cash grant of N200,000. The disbursements were for the months of June and July.
Speaking at the presentation, the Commissioner for Women, Children Affairs and Empowerment, Faith Opuene, said the gesture was borne out of the need to encourage female and young entrepreneurs across the state.
Mrs Opuene said the initiative was to assist small business owners who hailed from the state to grow and expand their existing businesses.
She explained that the beneficiaries comprised two persons, a man and a woman from each of the 105 political wards from the eight local government areas of Bayelsa.
She added that the gesture was in fulfilment of a pledge by governor Douye Diri to support 210 small business operators monthly until the end of his tenure.
“The economy of our state is not within our reach; because ours is a civil service state and the SMEs space is dominated by people from outside Bayelsa who drive our economy.
She explained that the empowerment scheme was done by a seven-member committee, put in place to ensure that no beneficiary draws the cash more than once.
Mrs Opuene said that the biometrics of the beneficiaries were taken before the disbursement to check multiple payments.
She advised the beneficiaries to deploy the funds into their businesses, adding that there were plans to monitor their performance and that only those who grew their businesses would benefit from such future plans.
Joye Newman, a petty trader from Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa applauded the governor for the gesture and advised would-be beneficiaries to wait for their due dates to benefit from the empowerment.
A total of 1,260 beneficiaries drawn from the 105 wards across eight local government areas have so far benefited from the scheme which commenced in February.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Africa
Nigerians, other Africans elect thieves but want them to act like Jesus not Barabbas: Patrick Lumumba
“Africa, for some reason, is attracted to men and women who can’t serve and when they are not served they complain.”

Sport
International Friendlies: Omeruo, Iwobi, Osayi-Samuel, Moffi return to Super Eagles squad
The players were absent from the team that demolished Sao Tome and Principe in last month’s 2023 AFCON qualifier in Uyo.

States
Niger govt. seeks traditional rulers support on intelligence gathering to tackle insecurity
She solicited the support of the traditional rulers to enable the present administration to actualise its dream of transforming the state into an enviable new Niger state.

Economy
Manufacturers laud 7.5% AGO waiver, task FG, labour on positive outcomes
“We look forward to a successful deliberation of the labour unions today and a definite call off of the planned nationwide strike,” he said.

States
Family of four electrocuted in Taraba
He said the command was notified at about 11:00 a.m. that the house was on fire, suspected to be from a power surge.

NationWide
Speaker Abbas appoints Jake Dan-Azumi as chief of staff
Mr Dan-Azumi is to take over from Wasiu Olanrewaju-Smart, who is taking another appointment.