The Abia Government has launched major empowerment projects to reduce poverty and boost women’s livelihoods across the state’s three senatorial zones.
The Commissioner for Information, Mr Okey Kanu, made this known on Monday while briefing newsmen on the outcome of State Executive Council meeting, in Umuahia.
Kanu said that the state Ministry of Women Affairs built 60 processing sites under its Livelihood Collective Project.
He said that the facilities include garri and oil palm processing centres located in Isialangwa North, Obingwa, and Ohafia Local Government Areas.
“There are 21 sites at Isiala Ngwa North, 20 sites at Obingwa and 19 sites at Ohafia, respectively,” Kanu said.
He said the initiative reflected the government’s resolve to improve rural economies and enhance women’s participation in the agricultural value chain.
“This move underscores the high premium the state government places on pulling out as many Abians as possible out of the pangs of poverty.
“These women have been empowered with these projects and we believe that it is the way to go with our women folks,” the Commissioner added.
He also said that the government had also taken steps to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through a strategic funding partnership.
Kanu said that the government had paid its counterpart fund of N2 billion as part of a N5 billion Abia State Government–Bank of Industry SME fund.
“This fund is meant to be accessed by SMEs across various sectors,” he said.
Kanu further said that the Bank of Industry would provide the remaining N3 billion in the programme’s first phase.