54,000 Kebbi women to benefit $15m World Bank aid

From Ahmed Idris Birnin Kebbi

The Kebbi State Government in collaboration with the World Bank assisted ‘Nigeria for Women Project’ will expend 15 million US dollars on execution of the programme in three local government areas of the state, with 54,000 women earmarked as beneficiaries.

Governor Atiku Bagudu disclosed this while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after a closed meeting with World Bank delegate that paid him a courtesy visit, weekend, in Birnin Kebbi,

He said the programme was aimed to provide support for the women to improve their economic wellbeing.

The benefiting local governments are: Ngaski, Argungu and Maiyama.

The state government will distribute 250 modern mini rice processing machines to women in order to enhance the quality and output of rice production in the state.

The Governor also said that women would be engaged in training of other women on the operation of the mini rice milling machines for easy handling and maintenance.

“Women will be engaged and trained on how to operate the machines; the women will, in turn, train other women in the handling of the machines for easy maintenance,’’ he said.

He commended the team for its enthusiasm towards the economic development of the state.

“This is in line with the administration’s policy of developing entrepreneurship and assisting petty traders, especially women, to engage in local processing of rice and other grains,’’ he said.

Earlier, the Project Coordinator of the bank, Yakubu Yauri, said Kebbi State was among the six states of the federation selected to benefit from the World Bank assisted programme.

According to him, 18,000 women will enjoy proceeds of the project in each of the three local government areas designated for the programme.

“This brings the total number of beneficiaries to 54, 000,’’ Yauri said.