Governor Godwin Obaseki
of Edo says his administration will partner with the United Nation's
International Children Education Fund (UNICEF) and Lift Above Poverty
Organization (LAPO) to improve socio-economic development in the state,
especially in rural areas.
Obaseki disclosed this at
the state Government House in Benin on Wednesday while receiving the senior
management staff of LAPO, a Benin Based Non-Governmental Organization led by
its Founder, Dr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe.
Governor Obaseki with the CEO of LAPO - Dr. Ehigiamusoe
Governor Obaseki with the LAPO Delegation
He said the provision of
social infrastructure in the rural areas would go a long way in addressing core
challenges in the areas, adding that his administration was currently working
with UNICEF in the provision of water in every community in the state.
The Governor added that
it would also collaborate with LAPO in the water project and in the areas of
Agriculture and Small and Medium Scale Development in the State.
The water project would
be community-Government-private assisted and would be instrumental in
addressing health challenges in the communities.
Obaseki commended LAPO
for its economic programmes which had impacted positively in the lives of the
poor and improved access to finance.
He said that his
government would collaborate with the Microfinance Bank in providing more
capital to women traders.
Earlier, the founder of
LAPO, Dr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe said that the organization was willing to partner
the state government for the overall development of people in the state.
He said that the
organization in 2016, disbursed loan of N140.4 billion to institutions within
and outside the country with N10.2 billion of the amount to owners of MSME in
the state.
Ehigiamusoe, who is also
the Managing Director of LAPO MicroFinance Bank, said that the organization was
also involved in community development programmes geared towards improving the
health of people at the grass roots.
Acknowledging government
as a lead development partner in any nation, Ehigiamusoe requested the state
government partnership in the provision of cancer screening facilities centres
in the state.
He listed other areas of
collaboration to include rural medical outreaches across the state, micro small
and medium enterprises development consisting of access to finance, micro
leasing and training.
REPORT BY KINGSLEY
UCHEGBU
No comments:
Post a Comment