The newly commissioned one hundred tricycles to 100 beneficiaries of the Kwara State initiated community intervention programme in partnership with Simba/TVS and SEAP microfinance institute.
By LEKAN AGBOOLA, Ilorin –
The Kwara State Governor, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq on Monday commissioned one hundred tricycles to 100 beneficiaries of the state initiated community intervention programme in partnership with Simba/TVS and SEAP microfinance institute.
Speaking during the presentation at the Government House in Ilorin the state capital, the governor said the initiative follows the government’s pattern of support for communities adding that the initiative was in line with the plan to have as many Kwarans as possible on the state health insurance scheme.
Governor Abdulrasaq also said, the state government would continue to intervene in community based initiatives that has direct impact on the lives of the people of the state, adding that the recent granting of loans to entrepreneurs in the state is a pointer to the government’s determination.
Speaking to reporters at the event, representative of SEAP Microfinance Institute, Dr. Oladokun Olatunde said the institute is 21 years old in Kwara and has over the years given about 1.5 billion naira to over 60,000 Kwarans in loans. He said the initiative which is being implemented is borne out of the need to strengthen public and private relationship for the overall development of the country.
On his part, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdulrasaq on Community intervention, Mr. Kayode Oyin-Zubair said the government’s transportation intervention project will come in phases, and other unions like the NURTW and RTEAN will also be considered. He implored benefitting Tricycles Owners Association of Nigeria, TOAN members to “make good of the gesture by committing themselves to repayment plans”.
State Chairman of TOAN, Salihu Gidado thanked the state government for the initiative and also revealed that as a security measure, the association as come up with stickers bearing codes for all tricyclists operating in Kwara state for easy identification of owners and operators.