BY NAJIB SANI
There was jubilation as Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State empowered traders and business men and women in the state with a whooping sum of N500 million.
The money is not a normal loan from the government but a free financial empowerment. Beneficiaries were overwhelmed with joy having heard that the governor has given them such huge amount to also benefit from the dividends of democracy and governance.
It is a known fact that the governor has extended interventions to various groups of people in the state in recent times to provide jobs and or boost businesses and occupations in the state. For instance, last year, he procured 1,000 tricycles and distributed to the youths on loan for commercial use. The gesture has helped in reducing the number of redundant youths in the state who are now engaged and have a source of livelihood through transportation services.
This is addition to the planned procurement of 15,000 motorcycles to another set of youths for commercial use. Recall that 500 youths were engaged under the newly established Gombe State Security, Traffic and Environmental Corps (GOSTEC) last year as part of the governor’s youth employment programmes.
On several occasions, the governor has promised to prioritise human capital development in order to alleviate poverty and improve the wellbeing of the citizens. He is doing this concurrently with the execution of mass infrastructure projects.
Having done much to the youths and civil servants via regular payment of salaries and timely promotions, Governor Yahaya turned to the business sector considering that a lot of citizens in the state are traders.
There is no denying the fact that Gombe is a growing commercial city which progresses every passing day and its population increases due to the commercial activities coupled with the relative peace enjoyed across the state.
To boost businesses in the state and extend the dividends of democracy to this important segment of the state’s population, Governor Inuwa over the weekend deemed it good to empower the state traders by granting them the N500 million financial assistance.
The governor flagged off the distribution of the N500 million as support grants to various business groups in Gombe State at the government house to help them rebuild their businesses and overcome the effect of recession occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The gesture was coming under the Gombe State COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (GO-CARES), which is an intervention programme of the state government.
Speaking at the flag off ceremony, the governor said, his administration is fully committed to addressing socio-economic challenges affecting the people of the state which was the idea behind the domestication of the Nigerian COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) of the federal government in Gombe State where more than N8.5 billion was budgeted to support 288,700 households, farmers, small scale businesses across the nooks and crannies of the state to mitigate and cushion the adverse effects of COVID-19 pandemic which wreaked havoc on socioeconomic life of communities world over.
He said, since the flag-off of the programme in July last year, GO-CARES has spent about N3.4 billion through various interventions and relief packages reaching thousands of vulnerable families and businesses.
“So far, 147,666 indigenes of Gombe State have benefitted from the GO-CARES and many more will come onboard as many packages are underway,” he noted.
The governor presented a cheque of N500 million to the representatives of over 100 business communities, stressing that the distribution starts immediately.
“Ours is a grant, not a loan. and the allocation of this huge sum is a proof of how important we take businesses owing to the role they play in the growth and development of our dear state”.
The governor observed that the development agenda his administration is vigorously pursuing through intensive investment in infrastructures and human capital development has created a conducive atmosphere for businesses to thrive, citing the road network in the industrial cluster in Nasarawa and Gombe main market; installation of solar powered hybrid street lights, improvement in security among others.
“My government is a business-friendly government and our policies are geared towards benefitting the common man. We believe that the formal sector alone cannot support our economy and provide the needed prosperity to our teeming populace. Economic development is a two-way process involving both public and private sectors working together.
“It is against this backdrop that we are undertaking an N18 billion project, the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park in Dadin Kowa which will employ hundreds of thousands of youths and support numerous businesses within and outside Gombe State”, he added.
Governor Inuwa urged the various business groups to vote for the APC candidates at the forthcoming gubernatorial and state assembly elections in the state for the complete cycle of purposeful leadership which will pave way for the actualisation of many developmental projects in the state including the long-awaited Kolmani Integrated Project.
He called on all the beneficiaries to make good use of the grants by supporting their respective businesses for the development of Gombe State, enjoining them and all people of Gombe State, in general, to conduct themselves peacefully as they go out next Saturday to vote, maintaining that peace is precious and preserving it is the responsibility of all.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner of Trade, Industry and Tourism, Hon. Nasiru Aliyu said, Inuwa-led administration would continue to provide a favourable atmosphere for businesses upholding its revered status of being number 1 in the ease of doing business.
Also in his remarks, commissioner of Youths Development, Hon. Abubakar Aminu Musa said GO-CARES has saved many families and businesses across the state through its various packages, urging the beneficiaries to support the continuation of the programme by reelecting Governor Yahaya for the second term.
Responding on behalf of the benefiting communities, Alh Sunusi Abdullahi Mai Agogo; chairman of Inter-Local Markets Traders Association, Alh Uba Abdullahi; chairman, Women in Business, Dr Eliza Danladi and the chairman, Amalgamated Traders; Alh Abba Bill Gates said Governor Inuwa has fulfilled promises he made to support business communities, saying that they are grateful for the gesture and will make good use of the grants.
They pledged their continued support to the governor, promising to pay him back handsomely in the forthcoming elections for the sustainability of the interventions and the interest of Gombe State.
“Let’s unite for Inuwa and champion his course for the good of our businesses and the good of Gombe State.”
Other dignitaries at the event included, the deputy governor, Dr Manasseh Daniel Jatau; speaker, Gombe State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Mohammed Luggerewo; secretary to the State Government, Prof Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, head of Civil Service, Alh Bappyo Yahaya; commissioners, special advisers and leaders of various business communities, among others.
We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →
Join Our WhatsApp Channel
