Bauchi Gov. Launches Distribution of Interest Free Loan Keke NAPEP

Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi state has launched the distribution of interest free loan Keke Napep with the repayment period of two years.

The distribution of the Keke Napep tagged "Kaura Economic Empowerment 2020" was designed to cushion the effect of the ban of achaba to the beneficiaries across the state.

Speaking at the launching of the scheme, Governor Bala Mohammed said in its effort to make the project a reality, his administration had deposited the sum of N250 million.

According to him, the project is a continuous and revolving scheme as the instalmental payment by the beneficiaries of the first batch will be used to purchase more units of the keke Napep. 

He explained that the programme is a social service to the entire community of the state to ameliorate their difficulties caused by the absence of achaba operations. 

"Today's event is yet another milestone in the history of this government and Nigerian Democracy as a nation and more importantly party of making the achievements recorded within the first year of my administration."

"As you may recall, government has banned the use of achaba in the state for security and health purposes. In the alternative, the State Government decided to purchase 1,000 units of Keke Napep to replace it."

Governor Bala Mohammed who congratulated the beneficiaries of the Keke Napep, enjoined them to make good use of the favourable income generating venture by making consistent repayment of the loan.

He expressed confidence that the provision of this alternative will be utilized for the twin purposes of increasing business and economic empowerment of the citizens within the package of Kaura Economic Empowerment Empowerment Programme (KEEP).

"As you may wish to know, the ban of Achaba was not done to make life difficult to the people, but the benefit for its absence grossly overweight its presence on the street and the attendant criminal plans and conspiracy caused to the peaceful living of our people."

"Let me reiterate that the distribution of the Keke Napep is the beginning of provision of essential services to the good people of Bauchi state, and is an interest free loan to the beneficiaries who are pay the balance in 24 months by instalmental payment through the Ministry of Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises Development."

The Governor who took time to shed more light on the reason for the suspension of okada activities, said the measure is to overcome the prevalence of COVID-19 and tackle criminal activities in the state. 

"I want to use this medium to make it clear that the ban of achaba operations in the state is a temporary and would be suspended when the state government overcome the challenges associated with the operation."

On commercial and other business activities in the state, Governor Bala Mohammed said similar programmes are in the pipeline for the state government to purchase commercial Motor vehicles to boost small and medium enterprises. 

He disclosed that already N250 million has been set aside for the project in addition to the two vital components of wealth creation and economic empowerment plan to provide commercial loan cluster to traders and artisans are on final stage of collaboration with the Bank of Industry (BOI).

"Already matching fund of N250 million  has been paid and awaiting to implement the Memorandum of Understanding and project will kick start soon."

The State Commissioner for Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Honorable Usman Saleh had earlier said the Keke Napep were distributed at the free interest loan of seven hundred thousand naira only.