Gov Ahmed flags off N150m transport empowerment scheme

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has flagged off a N150 million empowerment initiative for transporters in the State through the provision of taxis, buses and light trucks.

Speaking at the flag off of the first phase which was the distribution of 100 taxis procured at a cost of N50million to taxi operators, Governor Ahmed said other levels of empowerment in the sector would manifest in the next few months.

“In the coming months, this administration will provide further demonstration of this renewed determination to expand opportunities for our people through unprecedented socio-economic capital projects and programmes that cut across the State, including the provision of 8,200 youth jobs through Quick Win”, he said.

Governor Ahmed noted that with the N50millon first phase transporter empowerment scheme his administration has distributed N674million revolving credit to various beneficiaries under its entrepreneurship scheme from 2012 to date.

According to the Governor “it was noteworthy that over 70percent repayment rate of the previous revolving loan scheme has been recorded” adding that it has brought added benefit to more people under the programme.

Ahmed who said the revolving loan scheme of Taxi Drivers was not government largesse, urged them to “work hard and repay the loans promptly so that others can benefit”.

The Governor also counselled the beneficiaries of the Taxi Scheme to maintain the vehicles regularly, obey traffic regulations and cooperate fully with security agencies to make the roads accident free and safe.

The Governor, who appreciated the support of the people of the State to his administration, promised that his administration remained guided by a determination to exceed peoples expectation of good governance.

Dr Ahmed stressed that as the country moves towards the 2015, good governance, respect for the rule of law and adherence to equity should be the guiding principles of the national democratic experience.

Speaking on behalf of their members, Alhaji Abdulrasaq Badmus of National Union of Road Transport Workers and Alhaji Farouk Opeloyeru of Road Transport Employers Association said the vehicles and the payment modalities were not forced on them as they were also taken into confidence in the choice of vehicles procured under the taxi revolving loan scheme.