The Gombe State government has made a N500 million award available to 60 businesses affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
The funds were distributed to beneficiaries under the Gombe COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (GO-CARES) program.
It is a social initiative aligned with the federal government’s NG-CARES that aims to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable households, Medium and Small Size Businesses, and Micro and Small Scale Enterprises (SMEs).
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On Saturday in Gombe, Governor Inuwa Yahaya revealed this while handing a N500 million cheque to representatives of business organizations.
He stated that the decision was made to assist businesses, and that over N3.4 billion has been spent since the commencement of the GO-CARES program in the state in 2022.
He said that the government launched realistic initiatives in the form of relief packages to assist thousands of disadvantaged families and businesses.
“So far, 147,666 indigenes of Gombe State have benefitted from the GO-CARES, and many more will come on board as many packages are underway.
“Ours is a grant not a loan, and the allocation of this huge sum is a proof of how important we take businesses owing to the role they play in the growth and development of our dear state,” he said.
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According to the governor, the N500 million award will be available immediately to approximately 60 enterprises.
The governor said that his administration had created the proper environment for growing enterprises by investing heavily in infrastructure and human capital development.
“It is against this backdrop that we are undertaking a N18 billion project, the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park in Dadin Kowa, which will employ hundreds of thousands of youths and support numerous businesses within and outside Gombe State.”
Mr Yahaya urged the people of the state to re-elect the All Progressives Congress (APC) in order to ensure the sustainability and realization of feasible social and economic development initiatives launched by the party’s administration, such as the Kolmani Integrated Oil Project.
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He also urged the fund’s beneficiaries to use it wisely in order to build their enterprises and contribute to the state’s growth.
Uba Abdullahi, chairman of the company owners organization, praised the gesture, saying it will decrease poverty and support the expansion of SMEs in the state.
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