The agency in its bid to support entrepreneurs in the state especially those trained by Ekiti State Government also to reduce unemployment among its populace, has concluded arrangement to engage about 500 youths to drive the Agric-Village project to be sited in the 16 local government areas of the state.
The youths will be selected from among the 4,500 Ekiti entrepreneurs trained under Agric-business small and medium scale (AGSMEIS) Scheme.
The Director General, Ekiti State Micro Finance and Enterprise Development Agency, Otunba Kayode Fasae disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Ado-Ekiti.
Otunba Fasae stated that each of the Agric-Village will accommodate about 30 youths involved in different aspects of farming such as poultry, fishery, snailery, farm land cultivation amongst others.
He said his agency has successfully groomed and trained 2,500 Ekiti residents in collaboration with WEMA Bank Plc and on the verge of commencing training for another batch of 2,000 interested applicants with the support of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) under AGSMEIS Scheme.
The D.G. stressed that all members of the public who fall under Medium and Small Scale Entrepreneur can avail themselves of the opportunity of AGSMEIS Scheme especially at this COVID-19 pandemic era. Efforts are in top gear to get their businesses registered with CAC at a rebated price
He lauded the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi for keying into the programme and ensuring that the state benefit immensely from the Federal Government initiatives.
Stating that the Governor has equally approved the purchase of 1,000 tricycles for commercial purposes for farmers in the state to assist them in bringing their produce closer to the market, Otunba Fasae noted that all the projects being carried out by the Agency are at no cost to the state government.
On the debt owed the agency by previous beneficiaries of its loans’ opportunities, the Director General said a debt recovery firm has been employed ro assist in getting back most of the state’s assets as the state will be unable ro access to attract loans from financial institutions for its populace if they are known to have bad debt hanging around their neck.
Also speaking, a representative of the Debt Recovery Firm, Barr. Kehinde Ogunmodede said the firm sprung into action on the 1st of July, 2020.
He said they’ll be going round to compel both willing and unwilling debtor of the Agency as well as their guarantors to pay up after the expiration of 7 days grace offered them.