By: Frank David
From: Warri
About 150 women from oil producing coastal communities in Delta and Ondo states have received micro credit totalling 2.5 million naira for economic empowerment.
Special Adviser to the Delta State Government on Women Development, Mrs Betty Efekoda while Speaking at the presentation ceremony of the micro credit and entrepreneurial training, charged the women to make proper use of the micro credit to improve their living condition.
Mrs. Betty Efekoda said the State government under the administration of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan is pleased with the initiators of the micro credit programme, having recognized the three point agenda of the state government.
She advised the beneficiaries to be serious with the micro credit given to each group, noting that the money was given to them to trade and make themselves useful to the society. “I pray that all those who benefited from this training and are given starter packs should use them for their benefit, their family and the generality of the society”.
The Economic empowerment of the women was made possible by the commitment of Ex-ray Exploration and Production Nigerian Ltd who are in production sharing contract with NNPC, who in 2009 approved the sum of 26 million to youths and women to alleviate poverty in the oil producing communities.
The150 women who benefitted from the micro credit were done through cooperatives comprising ten women drawn from oil producing communities on the coast of Delta and Ondo States.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Managing Trustee of Morgan Smart Development Foundation, Dr. Omawumi Urhobo disclosed that micro credit is a grant and not a loan.
She added that the first phase of the economic empowerment programme of over 3.5 million naira was committed to the purchase of boat and micro credits which was distributed to the women and 24 youths after six months training in computer and maintenance.
The beneficiaries received starter parks comprising a complete set of computer amongst others.
She also noted that women need to be encouraged through entrepreneurial training to provide them with tools that will take them out of poverty. “Those who have been provided with the starter packs, please go and open account. Let that money be used properly”, she advised.
Also speaking, the State Coordinator of NEPAD, Chief Chinonye Dafe charged the women to make proper use of the grants to attract more things to them.
The programme featured presentation of micro credits to the beneficiaries and lecture on effective utilization of micro credit for business growth.
The beneficiaries commended the ETPNL and Morgan Smart Development Foundation for the grant, pledging that they will make good use of the facilities to improve their lives.
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