A Bauchi based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Development Exchange Center (DEC) in Bauchi has presented 11 motorcycles and tricycles to commercial riders in the state in order to boost employment in the state.
While making the presentation to the beneficiaries in Bauchi, Executive Director of DEC, Mrs Titi Yakubu, said that the idea of empowering the commercial riders was to equip them for self-reliance.
She said that the empowerment was part of the organizations’ micro-credit scheme and revolving loan programme to all its registered associations.
According to her, the 11 motorcycles and tricycles are negotiated with the leadership of their association and will be paid within 12 months through its leadership.
She said it was the first time the NGO would be engaging the association on the revolving loan and assured that if well handled, the programme would be sustained.
Earlier, Mrs Hellen Abbah, the Head of Micro Credit of the Development Exchange Center, explained that the loan facility was aimed at empowering the less privileged through associations or groups.
Helen Abbah also said that the loan would be disbursed to the commercial riders with 1.5 percent interest that would be paid to the association and not to DEC management.
She then urged them to make good use of the facility adding that it was a rare opportunity for them to become self-reliant and fend for their families.
In his remarks, Alhaji Mohammed Nabayi, Chairman Motorcycles/Tricycles Commercial Riders Association, commended the NGO for according them the facility.
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He said the that the facility would boost empowerment among their members in the state but, however, called on other NGO’s and Philanthropists to emulate the gesture of the NGO in empowering citizens to become self-reliant.
Mohammed Nabayi assured that the association would monitor and supervise the beneficiaries of the loan, disclosing that a committee would be set up to monitor them.
He also warned the beneficiaries against violation of traffic rules, unnecessary disfiguring of the vehicles.
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