“As leaders, we must as a matter of urgency review social and economic policies to reflect the current reality of the most vulnerable, especially in the rural areas”
—Gov Sani, on International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
By Nasir Dambatta
It was on July 25th, 2023 that the news of strategic moves to integrate the poor and underserved Kaduna citizens became trending public knowledge.
An elated Governor Uba Sani revealed, then, that a committee consisting of government officials, civil society organisations, Non-governmental Organisations, and Financial Technology companies will develop a state financial strategy to drive that social intervention programme.
What shocked the world was when the governor revealed that an estimated one million poor and unbanked citizens have been suffering from financial inclusion for too long. Now, they are expected to be included in the financial services sector by the current administration in the State. Along the line, the state government has consulted with key stakeholders including traditional rulers, religious leaders and local government chairmen to ensure mass sensitisation and involvement of the citizens in the financial inclusion drive.
This is coming on the heels of the endorsement of an Executive Order for rescuing 2.1 million poor and underserved citizens. It is inciting to the people of Kaduna that the governor has now commenced the disbursement of millions of naira in grant, to small scale businesses in the State.
What I would like to literally translate as Operation Flush Poverty, popularly known as “A Kori Talauci” has commenced in the 23 Local Government areas of the State days ago, with beneficiaries who fulfilled the basic requirements of registration getting paid in one piece.
Pulling the strings of this beautiful policy is the Kaduna State Enterprise development agency (KADEDA), which has been expectedly directed by the governor to do the needful to ensure the programme succeeds.
“A KORI TALAUCI” is more of a programme in line with Governor Uba Sani administration’s vision of promoting economic growth in the State. Powered by “KDCares”, the programme is a pioneer effort that, according to economic experts, will effectively crush poverty by boosting the smaller segment of businesses in the State. While it has potentials for keeping the small businesses owners busy, it will also effectively impact on the State’s economy in general.
Furthermore, one of the outstanding gains of the program is that it will provide small businesses with operational grant support to cover rents, salaries, utilities, raw materials or other costs of production. Thankfully, the grant will be between fifty thousand naira (N50,000) and three-hundred thousand naira ( N300,000) for now and dependent upon the strength of each of small businesses, especially if the owners have SMEDAN registration among a host of other valid documentary evidences.
In retrospect, the governor has said that 86 per cent of those living in rural communities in the state live below the poverty line, while only 14 per cent, mainly those living in the urban areas, live above the poverty line. That was as recently as the 18th of October this year. What more, he admitted that these figures are indeed scary. It was understandable therefore, that he made the strategic economic move of empowering the majority, who are small scale business owners that are widely believed to be one of the most reliable sources of micro-economic strength of Third World nations.
The “A Kori Talauci” programme, is undoubtedly part of the SUSTAIN Agenda of the administration.
Stakeholders excitement has become progressively visible in recent days. It is an indicator that the State has found its bearing in strategic economic reforms that are in tune with the current economic push, with its chilling effect on the living conditions of Kaduna people.
An inspiring new dawn you would say.
Dambatta is Senior Special Assistant on Print Media to the governor
