The Delta State Government has approved an N4bn empowerment programme, with 15,000 people expected to receive N250,000 each to help establish small businesses and get aspiring entrepreneurs off the ground.
Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads and Public Information), Charles Aniagwu, made the disclosure on Friday whilst briefing the media on the decisions taken at a State Executive Council meeting of the Governor (Sheriff Oborevwori) at Government House, Asaba.
Aniagwu said the programme would be rolled out via the Delta State Social Investment Programme in the coming weeks with beneficiaries to be drawn from the 25 LGAs in the state.
The grants will be N3.75bn, and the balance of N250m will cover administrative, training and other implementation costs.
He said the Governor had directed that clear eligibility criteria be in place to ensure the support reached the vulnerable people it was intended for, namely small business owners in financial difficulty and aspiring entrepreneurs seeking start-up funding.
In yet another development the council have approved compensation for land taken in the central senatorial district for agricultural purposes as part of the ongoing effort to attract commercial farmers and increase the level of agricultural production.
Aniagwu said the initiative was expected to attract investors both from within and outside Nigeria, to create more jobs and give local farmers the opportunity to expand their operations.
The council also approved the Economic and Fiscal Updates, the Fiscal Strategy Paper and the Budget Policy Paper which will all be used to guide the preparation of the State’s 2027 Budget.
Aniagwu said the documents would contain the economic assumptions, revenue projections and policy direction for budgeting. He noted that naira stability would be conducive to government planning, while
The council also directed the MoH to consider expanding free medical outreach into riverine communities following the recent exercise in the oil spillage-affected areas.
Aniagwu said people from neighbouring communities had also gone to the hospital during the exercise which in turn has prompted the governor to instruct the ministry to consider making the exercise more regular.
The council also approved the construction of a clubhouse for civil servants at the Delta State Secretariat in Asaba, to provide staff with a place to meet and relax outside of working hours.
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