Jigawa Govt, BOI Sign N6bn MoU To Improve Agriculture, SME
By: Ahmed Aminu, Dutse
Jigawa state government and the Bank of Industries (BOI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the disbursement of N6 billion to support agriculture, and Medium and Small Enterprises (SME) in the state.
Speaking while signing the MOU at the Government House in Dutse, Governor Umar Namadi said that the aim was to support the small and medium businesses and farmers.
“Today’s occasion is a milestone towards poverty alleviation through job creation and economic development of our people,” the governor said.
According to him, people empowerment through their own businesses is one of the strategies to accelerate growth and development in the state.
“With this MoU we are now premised to join hands with the BOI to facilitate access to soft loan to our small, medium and even large scale businesses in the state”.
“We are very happy today we have BOI branch in our state, while all relevant state government agencies are fully engaged for enlighten Jigawa citizens and support them to access the opportunities in the bank”.
“Government would do everything possible to the ease the condition by the bank within the provisions of the law and guiding principles of the bank for our targeted people to have access to the loans at when due,” Namadi said.
In his speech, the Executive Director, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Alhaji Shekarau Umar said the N6 billion MoU was the biggest signed by the bank with any state government.
He said in the last 13 years, the state has been seeking for the establishment of a branch of the bank to no avail, until now.
“Within six months of such engagement with Governor Umar Namadi the BOI dream has become a reality,” Shekarau added.
According to him, the governor has remained committed to empowering the people to eradicate poverty, crate jobs, grow the economy and ensure sustainable development in the state.
“As we sign this MoU and also commission our Dutse branch today, we assure Jigawa state government our commitment to work at any level for achieving the desired goals ” Umar declared.
