Women laud Adamawa govt empowerment programme, caution against politicisation

Women in Adamawa have lauded the state government for proposing to allocate 60 per cent of it's micro-credit scheme to women.

The women, however, cautioned the administration against politicising the allocation.

A cross section of women who spoke to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola and Mubi said that the gesture would go a long way in empowering women in the state.

"This administration has shown its concern for women,'' said Hajara Yakubu, a graduate of government skills acquisition training programme.

``We hope this declaration by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) that 60 per cent of the interest free loan will be given to women will be implemented fully,'' she added.

Rachel Abraham, another trainee urged government not to politicise the programme, adding that the beneficiaries must be ``those committed to utilizing the loan for the purpose intended.''

"It should not be a programme for settling politicians; it should be for empowering the real rural women involved in petty businesses to boost their trade,'' She stressed.


Also in separate comments, Tina Musa, Altine Bashir, Amina Dauda and Talatu Ibrahim called for transparent implementation of the programme.

The SSG, Dr Umar Bindir, had announced that 60 per cent of the 15,000 people to benefit from the micro-credit scheme would be women.

``Fifteen thousand people are to benefit from the programme; that is 66 beneficiaries from each of the 226 wards in the state.

"Of this total, 60 per cent will be women and 40 per cent men," he said.

He said that the interest-free loan of N30, 000 per beneficiary would be repaid within a year, with three months moratorium.

"To encourage people to pay, the governor has approved more money for anyone who repaid in good time.

``Such person is not only supporting the chances of his community but can access more loan of between N60,000 and N100,000," Bindir said.

He explained that the beneficiaries needed to open bank account for the loan, adding that they must also complete a form, which would be endorsed by their wards and district heads.

The SSG said that the form would be collected at no cost and that it had some security features to check duplication and other abuses.