Date Published: 10/12/11

Akpabio plans to spend N2.2bn to empower 4,500 women

AKWA Ibom State governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday, said that the state government had allocated N2.2 billion to its Integrated Farmers Scheme.

The governor, who announced this at the ongoing Abuja International Trade Fair, said that 4,500 women would benefit from the scheme.

Akpabio, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Adasi Ubulom, said each participant would be given N250,000 to start an agro-allied business.

He also said that a small-scale industry would be established in each local government area to boost job creation.

This, Akpabio said, was in addition of the government`s plans to create conducive business environment for prospective investors.

“Government will provide conducive environment for the establishment and development of small and medium enterprises as well as large-scale industries, ‘’ he said.

Earlier, Mrs Grace Iwok, Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, said the state government had put in place qualitative infrastructure that would ignite rapid development of the state.