@GovernorIkpeazu takes empowerment to Market Women in Abia

In a bid to capture 30,000 rural market women and youths that will benefit from the initial #3 billion loan to develop MSME in the State as negotiated by the State Government with Bank of Industry, the Governor today, urged rural women to mobilize members from all markets in Abia State so as to take advantage of the opportunity.

The Governor who spoke through the State Focal person for social investment who also doubles as his Senior Special Assistant on Youth development and Job creation, Mr.Chinenye Nwogu, when the women wing of the Abia State Amalgamated Market Association paid a courtesy call on him at the Government House, Umuahia, stated that with no interest facility of #50,000 to rural market women, it will help them to expand their businesses.

He also noted that the amount will increase to #250,000 once the women are able to pay back the first tranche of #50,000.

On registering a corporative society, Nwogu explained that the State Government has given a weaver that will make it easier with #1000 to register and get certificate instantly.

While enumerating some projects done by the Ikpeazu led Government to empower women in the State, Nwogu said that Government has engaged 1,167 cooks in the free school feeding programme, who are daily making profits from the venture.

Responding on behalf of the women, the State President of the group Ezinne Uloma .P. Chukwuonye thanked the Governor for always touching the grassroots with all his initiatives and programmes, She promised to mobilize market women for the loan as the impact will be enormous. She appreciated Mr Nwogu and other members of the Governor's team for tirelessly working for the State.

According to her, " Today is monday which is very important in our market calendar, but we closed our markets today because of the importance and value we place on this administration. No sacrifice is too big especially as it concerns the development of Abia and Abians".

The President attended the meeting with leaders from Local Governments in the State.

Modalities on how to mobilize, register and fund the women were discussed.