By Amos Ogunrinde
Ekiti State Government has urged beneficiaries of the different loan schemes in the State, to pay up in order to allow new applicants enjoy the schemes.
The Commissioner for Trade and Industries, Aare Muyiwa Olumilua, made the call in Ado Ekiti while playing host to the representatives of the Ekiti Agricultural and Organic Food Processors Association.
Aare Olumilua, who lamented that the EKSG/BOI matching funds of N200 million naira, and other loans given to some members of the public in the last ten years, had not been repaid, said this has deprived many other qualified Ekiti residents the opportunity of accessing such loans for economic development.
The Commissioner who called for a change of attitude, said members of the public should not see credit facilities as a national cake, but as a way of reducing poverty and growing the economy.
While stating that the State economy would greatly increase when loans are judiciously used, Olumilua said Ekiti GDP has grown to N1.2 trillion per annum, with concerted efforts to grow it to a N4 trillion economy, before the end of the tenure of the Fayemi-led administration.
He said that Governor Kayode Fayemi has graciously approved training programmes for youths and intending entrepreneurs, to enable them fulfil the conditions for accessing loans from the Bank of Industry and other financial institutions, as soon as the COVID-19 pandemic is under control.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, and President of the Association, Pastor Wumi Ayodele appealed to the State Government to facilitate loans for members of the Association as working capital, and promised to refund same, as and when due.
Pastor Ayodele explained that the Association would use the obtained facility to create more job opportunities for the teeming unemployed population, ensure food security and improve the State economy.
