Gov.Bello distributes ICT Tools to over 300 Micro and Small Enterprises operating in Kogi State.
In line with the present administration’s determination to improving business performance and enhance viability, Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has distribute business ICT tools to over three hundred Micro and Small Enterprises (MSMEs) operating in the state.
Distributing the enhancement tools in a message, the Governor says his administration was truly concerned about small business owners in the state hence the need to create an enabling environment for them to thrive.
The Governor represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Doctor Folashade Arike Ayoade, says that the ICT tools distributed to the beneficiaries must be used judiciously to improve their businesses their by contributing to the economic advancement of the state.
The Governor noted that the state, alongside World Bank would jointly monitor proper utilisation of the tools distributed, pointing out that the state government would be willing to do more when commendable feedbacks were received.
The Managing Director, Kogi Enterprises Development Agency KEDA, Hajiya Rekiya Onaiovo, said beneficiaries were selected, out of the Sixty thousand registrations received by the Agency following a thorough screening.
Hajia Rakiya explained that the distribution of the equipment, under the Kogi Cares Result Area 3 “and specifically the Delivery Linkage Indicator 3.3, were initially part of the Kogi government’s response to the biting effects of Covid-19 lockdown period on Micro and Small Enterprises.
“While clarifying that beneficiaries under the KG Cares DLI 3.3 would not receive cash unlike the DLI 3.1, 3.2, the KEDA MD said that the Agency had received the approval of the World Bank for current beneficiaries to get a scale-up grant to fund their respective businesses, owing to their performances after evaluation by the World Bank.”
“She clarified that the initiative was not a political empowerment but was borne out of the stern desire of the Kogi State Governor to empower small businesses in the state and create the enabling environment for them to thrive.”
She noted that ICT could facilitate connectivity and maximise the internet space to conduct business irrespective of location and surrounding circumstances, warning the beneficiaries not to dispose the tools as they had signed a contract with kogi state government and world Bank.
The Managing Director added that KEDA, under the leadership of Governor Yahaya Bello, had ensured even distribution of the tools across the 21 local government areas of the state, assuring that the Agency would further expand the scope to capture more beneficiaries in its subsequent programmes.
ICT enhancement tools distributed included laptops, desktops, tablets, internet devices, POS machines, projectors, printers, android phones and other ICT business devices.
A beneficiaries of the tools the CEO Kakanda TV Prime production, Malam Ali Yakubu appreciated the kind gesture of the state government.
He explained that the process was rigorous, but transparent, saying that the equipment, would enhance his business, efficiency and service delivery.