By OGHENETEJIRI NYEROVWO
Senator Ifeanyi Okowa led administration in Delta is committed to eradicate poverty from the state with the award winning Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (DMSMA) micro credit scheme just as Deltans have been implored to take advantage of the programme as well as pay up interest free loans collected on schedule to give room to others to benefit.
This was disclosed by Mrs. Shimite Bello, Executive Secretary, Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (DMSMA) at Ogwashi-Uku, Anioch South Local Government Area in a town hall meeting with beneficiaries/clients and stakeholders of the programme, she warned that the Agency would not hesitate to bring to book all those who fail in their obligations to pay back loans as at when due saying that the SMART Agenda of the Okowa led administration to eradicate poverty would be in jeopardy if loans collected are not paid back warning that government would not sit down fold its arms and allow some people to thwart this laudable efforts to put smiles on the faces of Deltans.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Bello assured the people of Dr. Okowa’s commitment in eradicating the deadly disease called poverty, she implored well meaning Deltans to make good use of the golden opportunity, key into it and be more committed to ensure it succeeds by paying up loans so collected to give room for other prospective beneficiaries to have access to the fund or risk being arrested by security services, adding, “the loans are not for political patronage or gifts given out to people, it must be paid back to government to enable others to benefit. The interest of 9% is becoming too burdensome now on government considering the global economic recession.”
The Executive Secretary of the Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (DMSMA) re-emphasized her earlier warning to debtors to pay up their loan or face being arrested as Okowa SMART Agenda is not aimed at giving money freely but to improve the lives of the people through his “prosperity for all deltans agenda”.
She reiterated that, “these loans are meant for small and medium entrepreneurs to grow their businesses, improve their lives and strictly to be invested in their businesses but to marry more wives and other frivolities. Secretary gave this warning while addressing the people of Ogwashi-uku in a town-hall meeting. This State government/CBN assisted loans scheme is not a gift or ‘dash’ as part of Senator Okowa’s campaign promises rather it should be put to judicious use to better your lives because as you pay up, you giving room for others to benefit to grow their businesses and thereby helping government to help actualize it’s SMART Agenda programme eradicating poverty from our dear State.”
She enjoined Micro finance banks to monitor prospective beneficiary’s loan application/ proposals much more thoroughly before granting loans to them to ensure that only serious minded ones are given loans to grow their businesses, adding, “I am also using this medium to call on Micro Finance Banks to be more thorough and alive to their responsibilities by though and regular monitoring of funds/progression of beneficiaries, by so doing, there would be less risk of diverting the loans for self aggrandizement or frivolities”.
Mrs. Shimite Bello explained further that DMSMA/CBN assisted loan is not a national cake as perceived by many, adding, “we have come now to tell you (beneficiaries and prospective one) that the loan is aimed at bettering the lives of Deltans in business and agriculture and to make ensure you pay back as at when due so that other people can access the loan as it is a revolving loan scheme”.
She re-emphasized that the Agency will help business to grow by rendering them some professional assistance and help those in the agricultural sector to improve on their products as well as help with good market for their farm produce to earn more, adding, “this we shall do diligently because their success is Governor Okowa’s government success.”
Earlier, Mazi Elue Adigwe, Managing Director and Executive Director of NOPOV Micro Finance Bank stressed that the Agency is committed to alleviating poverty completely from Delta State, he then urged Senator Ifeanyi Okowa to assist the Agency at all times just as he assured the people of more quality services.
Also speaking shortly after the event, Hon.Austin Chikezie, Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resourcesre-assured the people of Senator Okowa’s commitment in delivering his campaign promises of SMART Agenda, he advised beneficiaries and potential beneficiaries to key into the governors SMART Agenda and join hands together to move the state to enviable heights
Hon. Chikezie disclosed that funds are available for disbursement, adding that if truly applied by any entrepreneur whether in agriculture or in business, banks will honour the loan application as long as the Agency approved of it.
