Umo Eno doles out N1.5m interest-free loan for Akwa Ibom traders
By Moses Tom
Akwa Ibom State Governor Pastor Umo Eno has floated a 1.5 billion interest free-loans to Akwa Ibom traders.
Under the scheme, 500 million naira is earmarked for traders in each of the three senatorial districts of the State.
The governor announced this on Tuesday during the official launching of A.R.I.S.E Food Security Programme held at Itam Market, Itu Local Government Area.
He observed that the loan is to be managed by the Ibom Fadama Micro Finance Bank.
While emphasizing his administration’s commitment to the wellbeing of the downtrodden, the governor said he will continue to develop policies geared at lifting the poor from a state of despair.
“I have heard of how some of you go to some places to get loans with very high interest rates and that has made the cost of food to go up, and before you finish paying the loans, you cannot meet up with your market or trading obligations anymore.
“I have come to tell you not to take such loans anymore. Consequently, we are releasing five hundred million Naira interest -free loans to each of the three senatorial districts (1.5 billion Naira in total,) to help your businesses
“We are releasing to each senatorial district market an interest free loan of five hundred million Naira per senatorial district.
“Every money will be paid into the Ibom FADAMA Micro Finance Bank. So if you do not have an account with the bank, each business person should open an account with them.
“This is for everyone. There’s no such thing as portfolio marketer. The people must have their stalls in the market working with the SAs and Market Union,” he noted.
Pastor Umo Eno expressed optimism that the gesture will compliment the free food voucher programme for the vulnerable and the neediest and ease the rising cost of commodities in the state.
Pastor Eno announced plans to set up an Agriculture Committee to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the programme across the State.
“Let no one make any mistake that these vouchers can be replicated. You will not be able to fake this one because these vouchers are printed by the Nigeria Printing and Minting Company and if we catch you, it is an offence.
“So when they give you the voucher then they will give you the food. Garri will be 5kg, rice 5kg, and beans 5kg.
“There is no guarantee that one person will have more than one voucher. So whatever voucher you have, take it to the market and a scale will be used by the agent at the redemption center to measure the food to you.
“For those who want to be part of the scheme, it is a business and all measurements must be done with scales and not cups. If you do not have a scale, you are not qualified.”
The Governor warned his personal aides drawn from all the 368 wards to ensure that only people who are in the social registers, are given the food vouchers.
He also announced that each personal aide has been given a mobile computer tablet to ensure the social registers are meticulously used to execute the programme.
The Governor however insisted that “what is important is that we must have a way of sustaining this programme; all of us will go back to the farm.”
He recounted how he stopped over at a farm owned by a private individual in Ibesikpo Asutan local government area, adding that he was impressed and had to support him.
“The Governor said Bulk Purchase Agency will be on hand to offtake crops harvested by farmers in the State at favourable costs to all famers and encouraged everyone to take advantage of this offer to embrace farming, the governor said.
Flanked by the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, the two Senators representing Akwa Ibom North East and South respectively, Senator Aniekan Bassey and Senator Ekong Sampson respectively, the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah and other top government officials, Governor Eno, was messianic as he spoke of his government’s bottom -up approach, where the poor and the vulnerable would be assisted to Arise and shine.
The free food voucher for the vulnerable, is a key element of the Bulk Agency Bill that was signed to law a week ago, and the Board, equally inaugurated by the Governor, last week.
The key responsibility of the Agency, is to provide free staple food items : Garri, rice and beans to the most vulnerable through the Social Register.
Governor Uno Eno’s humanitarian acts are what has defined him. In his inaugural address on May29. 2023, he had clearly signaled the direction of his government: The need to bring governance closer to the people and have them be invested and take ownership in governance. “To those who may not be able to put food on your table, I will be your advocate and champion.”
Last Tuesday, at Itam market, he took bold steps to do exactly, stating that, “ When leaders are faced with daunting social problems, they usually think outside the box and that’s what motivated me to set up the Bulk Purchase Agency and the free food voucher drive initiative.
“We had reviewed all of the options, and this for us, remains the best. We are partnering with the market leaders and I want to thank them for the cooperation we have so far received from them.
“Let me repeat here that this is purely an interventionist act; the solution to our food security remains the need for us to go back to the farm. Yesterday, I paid an unannounced visit to a farm run by one of your young men and I was so impressed with what the young man is doing and we pledge to support him. I will continue to pay visits to farms run by both people in government and others.
The Governor also promised to construct a car park, provide solar panel light, modern toilet facilities, all of which were the prayers of the leadership of the Itam Market.
The Governor directed the Transition Chairmen of the remaining 29 councils ( Itu and UyoLocal Government Councils, having been covered by today’s launch ) to ensure they launch the free voucher food program by next Tuesday.
At the launch of the programme, the Governor was hailed as a leader with compassion, and the joy and happiness on the part of the recipients was palpable.
They prayed for the Governor and promised to stand by him, support him and continue to pray for the success of his administration.
“This is an incredible people – oriented program. This Governor is truly a Pastor. Look at the Christ-like humility he has shown here.
“He is standing right there, supervising the distribution of the food items; he greeted and touched the recipients.
“This is rare to see in people occupying such an exalted office,” Honourable Anietie Eka, a political chieftain from Uyo local government area, had observed.
Earlier, the Chairman of Bulk Purchase Agency, Dr. Dan Akpan, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Offiong Offor, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Traders Matters, Mr Idorenyin Raphael and representative of traders, Godwin Ebong- President of Itam Traders Union and Madam Magdalene Udom, State Woman Leader of the trader‘s union, appreciated the Governor for embarking on the scheme and pledged their resolve to ensure they worked hard for the success of the food intervention programme.
