Kebbi State Governor Atiku Bagudu claims the World Bank assisted “Nigeria for Women Project” to spend $15 million on executing the program in three state local government areas.
Mr Bagudu revealed this after meeting with a delegation from the World Bank who paid him a visit in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday, he made this declarations while answering questions from reporters.
“The World Bank assisted “Nigeria for Women Project” will expend 15million US dollars on execution of the programme in three local government areas of the state.
“The programme will be carried out in Ngaski, Argungu and Maiyama local government areas and is aimed at providing support to women to improve their economic wellbeing.’’
He clarified that in order to improve the quality and output of rice production in the state, the state government would distribute 250 modern mini rice handling machines to women.
“The government will also engage women 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.
The governor praised the team for their enthusiasm towards the state’s economic development.
“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.
The bank’s project coordinator, Yakubu Yauri, said earlier that Kebbi State was among the federation’s six states chosen to benefit from the assisted program of the World Bank.
According to him, in each of the three local government areas designated for the program, 18,000 females will enjoy project proceeds.
“This brings the total number of beneficiaries to 54,000,’’ Mr Yauri said.
For her portion, Hassana Wara, the Acting Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Women Affairs, said the team had visited areas in preparation for the program’s execution.
She expressed gratitude for the job of the state government to realize the project and thanked the World Bank for its dedication to enhancing women’s welfare in the state. (NAN)
