Gov Dickson presents N30m draft to Niger Delta women in Lagos
…….says era of free money is over in Bayelsa
PHOTO: Co-ordinator, Ijaw Monitoring Group, Comrade Joseph Evah (right) assisted by the President of Ijaw Women Leadership Forum, South West, Chief (Mrs) Pat Ngene (left), on behalf of Niger Deltans in Lagos, receiving thirty million naira (N30m) draft from the Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. SeriakeDickson (centre) for a revolving loan scheme for small and medium scale businesses during the Governor’s visit to Niger Deltans at Ajegunle, Apapa in Lagos
As part of his economic empowerment programme for Women, the Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson on Sunday in Lagos presented a draft of N30m draft as revolving loan for the Niger Delta women in Lagos, disclosing that the era of free money was over in the state.
Speaking at a programme held at the Nigeria Navy Barracks, Ajegunle, Apapa, which had in attendance the likes of a renowned activist, Comrade Joseph Evah, the Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Chief Uche Secondus and over 3,000 women, the Governor, said the loan could be accessed through the formation of cooperative societies.
The Governor, who urged the women groups to make prudent use of the facility to improve their economic fortunes, assured them of his preparedness to make more funds available, if they justify the purpose of the scheme.
According to him, the state government is collaborating effectively with credible financial institutions to raise about N30million as trust fund to drive its small and medium enterprises development policy.
He stated that a similar programme is going on in Bayelsa State and “the aim is to make our women less independent as well as contribute their quota to the GDP of the State.”
He stated, “women across the state have been told to form themselves into a cooperative societies so as to enable them access the loan. As I said earlier, it is a revolving loan. Anybody that defaults will hinder others from accessing the loan, which is not good.
He posited further, apart from coming to thank you, I’m here to also let you people enjoy some of the benefits we have brought to our people back home in Bayelsa.
“I’ve challenged our people that, public money that comes to the state is not for sharing. It is to enable me and my team do their work. But, I know that, they have the problem of not knowing how to do business very well. So, I am trying to bring them back to the right track to let them know that, they all have a duty to work for themselves for a living, because nothing comes free. Don’t expect free money from anybody.
I have arranged with some banks to create a special fund to enable our people do business, because government money is for the public work, not for sharing. As you know, all the rich people here don’t live on government. They do their own businesses and set up their companies and industries. That is what we want to promote.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Coordinator of the Ijaw Monitoring Group, Comrade Joseph Evah had commended the development efforts of the Governor Seriake Dickson-led administration.
He said the Ijaw community in Lagos has been following the policies and programmes of the administration and are proud to identify with it for the successes it had recorded so far.
Comparing the free education policy of the administration to that of the first civilian Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Evah urged the Governor not to relent in his quest to move Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation to enviable heights.
He warned the people against playing politics with the destiny of Bayelsa, describing the state as a spiritual one.
HENRY SERIAKE DICKSON
GOV DICKSON OFFICIAL BLOG 
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