AS the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), intensifies efforts to retain power come 2019, the vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has declared that the President Muhammadu Buhari led APC federal administration has kept its pledge not to steal Nigeria’s resources but use them judiciously for the benefit of all citizens irrespective of political affiliation.
Yemi Osinbajo made the disclosure on Tuesday while speaking at the Multi-Purpose Indoors Hall, Bauchi, during the official launching of the federal government’s Social Investment programme, ‘Trader Moni’ aimed at empowering small and medium scale businessmen and women.
The Vice President described Bauchi as the state with the best entrepreneurs in Nigeria following his nationwide tour to launch the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Clinics for Viable Enterprises, with Bauchi being the 21st states he has so far visited.
He explained that the ‘Trader Moni’ scheme was designed to give interest-free loans to small traders to be paid back and be given more in return saying that the idea was for them to make more money and provide for their families.
Yemi Osinbajo said that “President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to Nigeria is that he will not steal Nigeria’s resources. He will use Nigeria’s money for the benefit of all Nigerians. That is the pledged that he made the day he became president and he has maintained that pledge till now.”
The Vice President further said that the determination of the federal government is to see that Nigeria’s money is used for the benefit of Nigerians.
“We will not allow any part of Nigeria’s money to be used for private property. This country can afford to provide for its own citizens. That is why we are committed and determined to ensure that we provide for everyone especially young men and women,” he added.
On his visit to Bauchi to launch the ‘Trader Moni’ scheme, he said that, “I have gone round to everywhere but I want to say that when we came to Bauchi and saw all that the young men and women are doing, the entrepreneurs, the small and big businesses, I am now convinced that Bauchi State has the best entrepreneurs in Nigeria.”
He then urged all the beneficiaries of the federal government social investment programmes to be completely committed to the administration, because according to him the administration will continue to give Nigerians the best possible by ensuring that the resources of the country are not stolen but used to develop entrepreneurship.
Yemi Osinbajo further assured that the administration is committed to creating jobs and businesses for young men and women saying, “That is why the President started the N-Power programme. That is why we have the Market Moni programme. And that is why we have the ‘Trader Moni’ programme. That is the reason why the president decided that we must have the School Feeding Programme to provide opportunities for people.”
On the ‘Trader Moni’, he said, “We will give loans to small traders without any interest attached to it. When you are able to pay back the money, you would be eligible to collect a higher amount and it would continue like that until when you feel your business is developed. The loan is open to all people doing petty business.”
He also said that “for the first time we are spending 30% of the total budget on infrastructure. We are spending Nigerian money on the right things that Nigerians demands. I pray that all of you will prosper and be greater than all of us in the nearest future.”
Earlier in his remarks, Bauchi state Governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar said the MSME Clinics has provided a great opportunity for youths in the state to be engaged.
The Governor said that his administration has provided over 30, 000 youths with various skills aimed at taking them off the streets just as he further hinted Osinbajo that, plans are underway by his administration to establish an inland container Depot to ease transportable for the local traders.
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