Tourism & Lifestyle | Ford Ozumba reiterates Government Dedication to Artisans Welfare
Ford Ozumba reiterates Government Dedication to Artisans Welfare
Chief Ford Ozumba, the honourable Commissioner of Labour, productivity and Employment has reiterated Imo state government dedication to Artisans welfare and upliftment by providing enabling environment for them to thrive as well as interfacing with relevant government and private agencies and establishment in providing soft loans for their businesses. He made this known when he led members of Imo state Artisans council to the state branch of Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, in Owerri on Tuesday.
Ozumba represented at the brief ceremony noted that the essence of the meeting was to mediate as government between the CBN and the artisans on ways to enable the artisans access different loan facilities, he said that the 3R shared prosperity government of Senator Hope Uzodimma has shown seriousness in changing positively, the narrative when it comes to Artisans welfare. He noted that the ministry under his watch has started profiling the artisans in order for them to be more accountable, saying that a unique number called Trade Identity Number TIN, is being provided for all the artisans in their database. He went on to enumerate various measures taken by the government to ensure that the loan is paid back.
Speaking, Head, Development, Finance office of CBN, Mr Camillus Ogboagu, described Ozumba as one who is very passionate about the upliftment of the artisans. He said that CBN will work with the ministry to make the dreams of the artisans come to reality. He further said that CBN loan will be on a 5% interest rate, a rate started because of COVID-19 and said that the window will close by Feb 28th 2023, thereafter, the apex bank will revert to 9% interest rate.
He further said that the Irrevocable Standing Payment Order ISPO needs to be provided by the state government before the loan will be made available. He said that the loan will be given based on each artisans capacity and capability, saying that CBN will monitor the loan to ensure it gets to the targeted audience, he said that the targeted loan is Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises loan Scheme.
Chairman of Imo State Artisans Council, Comr. Mr Dozie Julius, promised to make sure that the loan if given will be properly utilized, he also pledged to contribute his quota in ensuring that the project is a success.
Present at the meeting were Hon Chidi Onyebuchi, Special Adviser to the governor on Skills Acquisition, Mr Ekomaru K J, Head Entrepreneurship Dept., Mrs Ukamaka Umeh, Head Skills Aquisition Dept., Mrs Dorothy Ugwuoha, Head Productivity dept., Mrs Nnenna Njiribeako Head Planning, Research & Statistics.
