Date Published: 06/01/09

Ondo lifts market women with N50 million

Ondo State government has concluded arrangement for the disbursement of the first stage of N50million soft loans to market women in the State. This gesture, according to the State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko was in line with his administration’s determination to provide a shield for the womenfolk, who are oftentimes the backbone of the family.

 Dr. Mimiko disclosed this yesterday at the Government House in Akure, during an interactive session with the Labour Party leaders and delegates from the 18 council areas of the State, as part of the programmes lined up to mark his 100 days in office.

He added that the loan would attract an all inclusive interest rate of 9% with the State government contributing 20% of the subsidy to act as buffer for the women. The Governor, however, pointed out that the rate of repayment of the loan by the beneficiaries would determine the additional fund to be made available for subsequent distribution by government.

The governor, who urged women in the State to form themselves into cooperative groups to enable them benefit from the loan, informed the people that the first stage of the disbursement would take place in Okitipupa on Wednesday (tomorrow).

Dr Mimiko also used the forum to highlight his administration’s efforts at improving the quality of lives of the people within the 100 days in office to include the on-going constructions of multi-million naira Mother and Child Satellite Hospital in Akure, 1350 housing units in Akure and Oba-Ile, establishment of neighborhood markets to prevent street trading and beautification exercise in Akure, the State capital, Mechanic village and Auto-market and provision of functional Solar-powered boreholes among others.

He assured them of equal distribution of the dividends of democracy, promising that no individuals would be allowed to amass all the goodies being put in place by his government.

The governor, who urged the party leaders to show good leadership qualities to the people in their areas, promised to do everything possible to justify the confidence reposed in him and the party.

In his speech, the state chairman of the party, Dr Olaiya Oni described the forum as a veritable avenue for the party members to interact with the governor on matters of importance for the state and the party.

Dr Olaiya Oni reassured the people of the state of his party’s readiness to fulfill his campaign promises to them.