Ishaku’s speedy take off in Taraba

While executing the MoU at Protea Hotel, Abuja, on June 10, 2015, Governor Ishaku made it clear that he is optimistic that the fund will serve as a catalyst to the industrialization process of the state which his administration is committed to achieve.The Governor also commended the efforts of the Chairman, Taraba State Planning Commission, […]

While executing the MoU at Protea Hotel, Abuja, on June 10, 2015, Governor Ishaku made it clear that he is optimistic that the fund will serve as a catalyst to the industrialization process of the state which his administration is committed to achieve.The Governor also commended the efforts of the Chairman, Taraba State Planning Commission, Engr. Danlami Elisha and the Bauchi Zonal Manager of the Bank, Alh. Sagir Ahmed who did not only pioneer but also made sure that the MoU was executed. Already, as the Governor stated, Taraba State’s contribution of Three Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N350,000,000) has been released to the bank being fifty percent (50%) of the total fund component. The understanding between the two parties is that each will contribute 50% of the fund requirement totaling Seven Hundred Million Naira (N700,000,000).Governor Darius Ishaku then charged the bank, having already received the State’s full counter-part funding; and with the MoU already signed, to as a matter of urgency, hasten the commencement of the disbursement of the loan to eligible beneficiaries. He then insisted that this loan is very important to him as the beginning of the capacity building of Taraba people meant to reduce unemployment and poverty.
The Governor then lamented that despite the fact that Taraba State is richly endowed with vast fertile land and other natural resources, yet majority of the people live in object poverty due to lack of entrepreneurship and business development knowledge. He is however optimistic that if these resources are properly harnessed, the state could be poised for promising future, especially if programmes like this are not only supported to grow, but also sustained. Darius Dickson Ishaku is also hopeful that this partnership with the Bank of Industry, BoI, will lay the foundation that will bring about meaningful take-off of the industrial development of the state, especially also in the creation of employment opportunities that could reduce over-dependence on government. Such self-reliance, the Governor added, will promote alleviation of poverty among youths, women and other vulnerable groups in the state as well as provide agro-based industries that will take advantage of agricultural raw materials that abound in the state. The Governor then concluded by commending the efforts of all the stake-holders so far that made this vision a reality particularly the Bank itself, Taraba State Planning Commission, Ministry of Co-operatives and Poverty Alleviation, as well as the Ministry of Justice. In his welcome address, Taraba State Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Co-operatives and Poverty Alleviation Alh. Lawan Yakubu indicated that this partnership is for the establishment of an Entrepreneurship Development Fund for the state. He said the development fund is for indigenous entrepreneurs engaged in or willing to establish Micro, Small and Medium scale enterprises in the state so as to accelerate the pace and promote the attainment of the industrial development-process in the State.
Alh. Yakubu, who named this equal proportion contributory programme as Entrepreneurs Development Fund, then promised that Taraba State is committed to initiating more policies, programmes and projects for promoting economic development and empowerment which is for every citizen of the state as stake-holder. It was a smooth and fruitful event with vote of thanks offered by the Secretary, Taraba State Ministry of Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation, Alh. Mai Abdu Ibrahim who thanked the Governor, Arch. Darius Dickson Ishaku and officials of the Bank of Industry for the valued support they all extended to the actualization of the programme. Taraba State is well-known for its tourism potentials that include the internationally acclaimed Mambilla Plateau and the Gashaka-Gumti National Park. Taraba’s climate, especially around the Plateau, is also the only Tea Producing area in the whole of West Africa. Its animal husbandry, especially in its Sardauna local government is of international standard. Its vast agricultural potentials of food and other cash crops, as well as aquatic endowments like fish, is among the best in the North of the Country. Taraba’s industrial growth like the Cassava Processing Factory and Asphalt and Stone Crushing Plant in the State is also in leaps. Investment potentials for local, national and even international entrepreneurs therefore abound in the state, which this programme will ably support. It is indeed a rescue mission with Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku steering the state to greater heights in the near  future.
Mijinyawa is the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ishaku