OVER 20,000 TRADERS BENEFIT FROM TRADER MONI IN ANAMBRA STATE – OSINBAJO; AS FG VOWS TO COMPLETE 2ND NIGER BRIDGE

The Federal Government says over 20,000 traders have benefitted from its Trader Moni Initiative in Anambra State.

Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo announced this while monitoring the disbursement of the Trader Moni and Market Moni Initiatives at Eke Awka and Ochanja Onitsha markets.

The Trader Moni is a Federal Government’s Micro Credit Scheme being administered through the Bank of Industry (BOI).

Speaking at the Palace of the Obi of Onitsha after monitoring the process, the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, said the programme was tailored towards empowering small business men and women to gain easy access to loans.

He described the facility as beneficial to the traders, noting that they were expected to repay it in six months to benefit from increased funds up to #100,000.00.

The Vice President also visited the home of Mrs. Esther Chika, the cook attached to Community Primary School Amawbia, who was awarded the best cook in the Federal Government’s Homegrown School Feeding Programme.

Professor Osinbajo noted that Anambra State Government was the first to accept and implement the school feeding project successfully.

The Vice President also inspected the construction work on the Asaba end of the second Niger Bridge and pledged the commitment of the Federal Government to completing the job due to its importance to the nation.

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, who took the Vice President round the project site, assured the people that the job would be ready by 2022.

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra lauded the Trader and Market Moni programmes, which he noted would bring about prosperity to the people.

Governor Obiano also praised the zeal of the Federal Government in completing the Zik Mausoleum and pursuing work on the 2nd Niger Bridge to completion.

The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe urged the Federal Government to make efforts to take the micro loan scheme to traders in small markets in the area.

Two of the beneficiaries, Mr. Ikeze Ezegbo and Mrs. Blessing Ugbo, said they were happy over the initiative, which would add value to their business and living conditions.

Those who accompanied the Vice President on the visit, included the Senator representing Anambra South, Senator Andy Uba, National Auditor of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief George Moghalu, and the State Chairman of APC, Chief Basil Ejidike.

NDU NWANNAH