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Gov AbdulRazaq Flags Off Disbursement of N350m ACReSAL Interest Free Loans for Kwarans
L-R: Kwara State Project Coordinator, Alhaji Shamsideen Olatunbosun Aregbe; Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Musa Buge; Mustapha Atinuke Rukayat (beneficiaries' representative); Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Afeez Abolore Alabi; Saliu Muritala (beneficiaries' representative); and Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Yunusa Lade; during the flag-off of distribution of cheque to beneficiaries of Community Revolving Fund (CRF) Interest-free Loans, at Ahmadu Bello House, Ilorin...on Wednesday.
• Says govt committed to poverty reduction
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Wednesday flagged off the distribution of a total sum of $250,000 (N350m) interest free loans to 1,000 Kwarans to empower small business clusters across Kwara communities, strengthen grassroots economies and scale up sustainable development.
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Rafiu Ajakaye, the beneficiaries were drawn from across community interest groups, each of which has received a sum of $25,000.
Powered by the World Bank under the Community Revolving Fund (CRF) initiative, the project is being implemented under the Kwara State Agro-Clomatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (Kwara ACReSaL).
The governor said the administration is partnering with the World Bank under the ACReSAL project to positively touch lives and improve the local economy.
He urged the beneficiaries to use the funds judiciously to achieve its objectives, and to repay it promptly so that other persons can benefit.
“This World Bank-supported initiative has been designed to provide our women, youth, farmers and cooperatives with access to resources that will enable them to create wealth, generate employment and uplift households. Hence it is a practical step towards reducing poverty,” the governor said in Ilorin during the flag-off ceremony.
“I congratulate all the pioneer beneficiaries. You are leading the way with these dedicated funds which you would be required to refund to enable it to reach more lives.”
At the event were senior government officials and heads of government establishments, community leaders, market women and various support groups.
Commissioner for Environment and Chairman of Steering Committee for ACReSaL, Hon. Nafisat Musa Buge, said the success of the programme depends on how well the beneficiaries use and repay the funds, calling on them to repay promptly for others to benefit.
“Today is not just about the distribution of funds; it is about planting another seed of hope, empowerment and sustainable growth in our community,” she said.
Buge, however, said that the Kwara ACReSAL is not just giving out this credit facility to people, but has recently provided some rural communities in the state with potable water to improve their living conditions.
State Project Coordinator for ACReSAL, Alhaji Shamsideen Aregbe, said the Community Revolving Fund initiative confirms the governor’s dedication to inclusive development and shared prosperity.
He thanked the development partners, stakeholders and implementing agencies, who he said have contributed a lot to make the programme a reality.
Emir of Shonga, Dr Haliru Yahaya, commended the governor for his passion for community development, saying that his community is a chief beneficiary of the ACReSAL project and other infrastructural development programmes.
Mrs. Abdulkareem Olapeju, a representative of the beneficiaries, thanked the governor for investing in the initiative, which she described as life-changing.
