Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state on Thursday disbursed N2 billion as soft loans to owners of small-scale enterprises under the micro finance scheme.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the money disbursed to some of the beneficiaries was the first phase of the programme.
Speaking shortly after presenting cheques to some of the beneficiaries at the Government House, Ganduje said owners of small-scale enterprises needed the support of the government to enable them to sustain their respective businesses.
“It is our administration’s major cardinal thrust to ensure that enterprising men and women are given the financial support to establish a profitable enterprise of their own.”he said.
According to him, the quest for self-reliance could only be feasible when the government is fully involved.
He howeve explained that the soft loan was interest free as the government was only concerned about how the money disbursed could be refunded within the stipulated period.
He explained that the gesture will go a long way to create job opportunities in the state.
The Governor noted that Kano, being a widely recognised centre of business and commerce, must be made to maintain its revered position.
Ganduje disclosed that the state government had also extended similar gesture to wheat farmers in the state to enable them engage in massive production of wheat to boost food security.
According to him, giving top priority to agriculture will reduce over-dependence on oil revenue.
In his remarks, the Director General of the micro-finance banks, Alhaji Nasiru Muhammad, assured that the beneficiaries would refund the loans within the stipulated period.
He commended the state government for initiating the loan, saying that as it will go a long way in making the beneficiaries self-reliant.