Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, has flagged off a ₦30 billion economic empowerment programme for over 60,000 small business holders across the state’s 30 Assembly constituencies.
Speaking while launching the project at Miga town, the headquarters of Miga Local Government Area, Governor Namadi explained that under the new initiative, each of the 30 Assembly members would be allocated funds to disburse to over 2,000 people in their constituencies to boost local businesses.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Speaker of the Assembly, Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin, aims to replicate similar exercises in the remaining 29 constituencies across the state. Governor Namadi noted that about 1,000 people received ₦100,000 each; 150 people received ₦50,000 each; 150 people got ₦30,000 each; 250 people were given ₦20,000 each; and 1,368 people received ₦10,000 each.
Underscoring the significance of the initiative, the governor, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion, said it was an indication that the lawmakers were closer to their constituencies and understood their problems.
He pledged the state government’s commitment to continue supporting the initiative, noting that both the legislature and executive were working towards the same goals of alleviating the suffering of the people, especially at the grassroots.
Namadi stated further, “This initiative is a clear indication that the legislature under the speaker is closest to your people and therefore understands their problems. That is why you’re coming out with this kind of initiative because if you’re far from your people, you will not be able to know their problems and therefore cannot come out with such solutions.
“Therefore, it is hoped and expected that this will be replicated in the remaining 29 constituencies spread across the state. The coming of this programme is timely considering the fact that we are expecting the Holy month of Ramadan, which is very important in the Islamic calendar. Therefore, it is my desire to see that the beneficiaries make adequate use of the resources.”
In his part, the Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Rt Honourable Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin, who also represents the Miga State Assembly constituency, said the idea of offering support to the people of their constituencies was borne out of the realisation that small-scale businesses play a pivotal role in sustaining the rural people’s economy.
Honourable Haruna Aliyu noted that while lawmakers have been carrying out constituency projects, the latest one was unique since it touches the very core of their day-to-day business, unlike other projects.
He thanked the state governor for acceding to their request to embark on the monetary empowerment as a means of directly impacting their constituents’ lives.
According to him, “We’ve been doing constituency projects, but this one under my leadership is unique. I led members to you to plead with you to give us the opportunity to embark on this empowerment, and because of the respect and cordial working relationship that we have, you gave us the permission to do so.
“You did this because you know that we are the direct representatives elected by the people to voice and represent their interests, so whatever we do, we’ll come back to them.
“We are grateful for this show of respect and solidarity as demonstrated by your administration so far, and be rest assured that we’ll continue to extend the same level of cooperation with your administration to move our dear state forward.”
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