Borno spends N366m on poverty eradication

from The Tide

The Ali-Modu Sheriff administration in Borno has spent more than N366 million on poverty alleviation programmes since assuming office in 2003, according to an official document.

The document, made available by the state Ministry of Home Affairs, Information and Culture, stated that part of the money was used in checking street begging.

This document, obtained by newsmen Friday stated that the government released more than N100 million to petty traders and market women under a micro-credit loan scheme.

It stated that more than 70,000 traders and market women had benefited from the scheme through which some economic empowerment equipment were distributed to beneficiaries.

The equipment include 5,000 motorcycles, 5,000 tricycles, 1,000 generators, 57 buses, 1,050 grinding machines, 1,000 water pumps and 75 Glo mobile telephone lines, the document stated.

Others are coolers, plastic chairs, clippers, vegetable oil and portable generators.

It further stated that the government established a ministry, designed to curb youth unemployment restiveness, child abuse, street begging and related vices, through skills training.

The document also stated that government injected more than N309.6 million in commerce toward the revival of the sector.

“Government has rehabilitated the state hotels at Bama, Biu and Ngala at the cost of N47.4 million.

“Dikwa Holiday Inn, the Maiduguri International Hotel, the State Hotel at Gwoza and the Lake Tilla Holiday Resort were all rehabilitated at the cost of N170 million”, the document stated.