Governor Disburses Loans To SMEs, Commissions Alfa Mechanic Village 

The Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum has flagged-off the disbursement of loans and grants to 4250 beneficiaries of small and medium scheme as he also commissioned the Ultra Modern Alfa Mechanical Village in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

He said constructing the building was intended to engage youths and give them an environment of improved business opportunities.

The executive secretary of Borno State geographical information service,
Engineer Adam Bababe who piloted the project said the design and development of the project was in accordance with the international best practice with considerations for the stakeholders and beneficiaries.

He said the mechanical village was a form of knowledge exchange center.

“The project is designed to accommodate 633 auto Mechanic, 20 wheel balancing and alignment technician, 65 panel beaters, 32 Vulcaniders, tricycle and generators technician, 30 spare parts shop, space for office and training workshop, space for restaurant, a mosque, 24 toilets, 2 water bore holes and their overhead tanks, packing lots,” he said.

He said hundreds of trees were also planted there for both economic reason and as wind breaker to help the environment.

The commissioner for higher education, science and technology, Dr. Babagana Malumbe applauded governor Zulum for graciously approving the construction of the project.

“My ministry will use this mechanical village as an industry for job assessment. May I also request for a security outpost in the surroundings to ensure the security and safety of the environment.”

The managing Director Borno state micro finance bank, Mr. Ibrahim Bello, while speaking at the event said: I will like to thank his excellency for the successful completion of this project and now commissioning of this edifice for the provision of a befiting place for businesses.

Empowerment of new business enterprise and servicing existing ones remain the major concern of this administration.

“The first quest of the loan scheme under this administration was flag-off by the His Excellency last year 2020 where over 14, 200 SMEs from Metropolitan and Jere local government benefited from the one billion naira budgeted,” Bello stated.

Governor Zulum, in his remarks said it was in line with the 10 pack agenda of the administration and the 25 years development plan frame work, as well as the 10 years strategic transformation plan.

He said the occasion signified an historic turning point in the quest to develop the entire state which has been bedevilled by a more than a decade of insurgency.

“I’m personally here today to commission the Alfa-Mechanical Village and also to flag-off the disbursement of loans and grands to 4250 beneficiaries of small and medium scheme.”

The governor who stressed the importance of the loan, said it would add value to the socio-economic activities in the state, and also promote small scale and medium enterprises.

He said the government intends to do more in this direction to reduce the level of poverty to the minimum.

“I will also like to appreciate the managing director of Borno State micro finance bank and his team for all the good work they have done. Today, we shall be witnessing the disbursement of loans to various categories of people.”

” Auto mobile technician with about 1250 members received 68 million 7 hundred thousand while Tricycle and generators technician with 1000 members received 56 million 50 thousand.”

“Post-office traders association with 1405 members received 75 million 500 thousand as Babanlayi electronics with members of about 560 received 150 million naira, ” the governor explained.

Total disbursement of the day stood at 350 million 1 hundred and 50 thousand.

Lateefah Ibrahim