By Amaka Isikala/Ebele Iyke-OdiliAnambra State Commissioner for Industry, Mr. Christian Udechukwu, has said that the State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo is poised to making Ndi Anambra become productive at home and exportable.The commissioner said this while receiving the Anambra State Coordinators of the 21 Local Government Area (LGA) United Business Women Association of Nigeria and The Diaspora (UBWA) in his office at Awka.The Association is a cooperative society involving women who engage in different kinds of agricultural practices like poultry, fishery, palm oil and cassava production.The purpose of the visit was to familiarize with the commissioner and to discuss modalities for ease of doing of their business.The Commissioner while interacting with the group said, “The state is interested in making funds available for improved agro practices and expansion for productive base.”We have funding on various levels ranging from 25,000 naira grant, 50,000 naira grant in conjunction with the Bank of Industry (BOI) and there is access to 5 million naira where you get half as grant and the other half as loan at 5% interest rate with a guarantor.“We have an application form from the BOI where you can fill out for 0 to 10 million naira to be paid back in full sum at 9% over 3 to 4 years.”“Mr. Governor wants our people to be successful and prosperous for sustainable livelihood.We are willing to help our citizens attain greater heights in any area of specialty.“We are also in touch with some President Generals and Traditional Rulers of different communities who help to provide lands for cooperatives to embark on agricultural development.”There is also a fish farming centre where we offer advisory services for farmers who are desiring to go into fish farming.”Mr. Udechukwu highlighted other achievements of the Governor Soludo’s administration in the state especially in programmes that support the people with responsibilities like free education initiative in all government owned institutions and free medical care for pregnant mothers in all public hospitals which had recorded over 120,000 successful deliveries with zero mortality rate.“We are investing in our nextgeneration with initiatives like 1youth 2 skills programme and the business incubation innovative centre of the SID where people can learn ICT.”The commissioner commended the women for their resilience and eagerness to maintain a healthy living and to live above poverty.The UBWA mentor, Prince Samben Nwosu expressed that he offers business development opportunities for improved productivity.“I work towards ensuring the growth of the economy because the government have pilot scheme that enables the growth and empowerment of women. I have nurtured and groomed these women on how to grow small businesses.”Mr. Nwosu, then, solicited that the process of acquiring the funds be easy so as to enable the women grow their businesses and to contribute their own quota in industrial and agricultural development.In a remark, the Anambra State UBWA Coordinator, Mrs. Chinenye Okpalachukwu highlighted the importance of equipping women entrepreneurs with financial management skills and access to funding opportunities.Mrs. Okpalachukwu noted that pairing women entrepreneurs in cooperative societies with experienced mentors and industry experts for guidance and support is paramount.
