Osun Govt To Spend N4b On Citizens’ Empowerment

Staff March 11, 2014

The Osun State government has earmarked the sum of N4 billion to boost small-scale businesses in the state.
This was disclosed in Lagos last Saturday at an occasion hosted by the All Progressive Congress, APC National Legal Adviser, Muiz Banire, for Ajibola Basiru, Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties; Wale Boluwaduro, Commissioner for Finance and Muyiwa Ige, Commissioner for Physical Planning all serving in Osun State.
Speaking at the occasion about the programmes of Engr. Rauf Aregbesola in empowering the citizens of Osun, Boluwaduro said, “In the next dispensation, we plan to provide Micro Medium Fund to traders, agric farmers, etc – it’s a World Bank product of N2 billion.
“But, we are backing it up with another N2billion to make N4billion,” adding that “the minimum each person will get is about N1.5million. We could use that to pop up commercial activities in the state.”
Buttressing the impact of the administration’s economic programmes, the commissioner said, “The National Bureau of Statistics has shown that Osun as tiny as it is with 34th position in terms of revenue allocation from the Federation Account is the seventh largest economy in the federation in terms of GDP.
“And it’s put at over $9billion. When Mr. Governor came in, figure handed down by NBS then was $4billion. So, within a period of three years, we have moved to $9billion.
“Osun is 10,000 square meters larger than Lagos. GDP of Lagos is over $35billion.
“We can make more money than Lagos if we properly harness the opportunities that abound in the state.
“In terms of GDP per capita, which is the term in which standard of living is measured, Osun actually is number two after Lagos.
“In terms of standard of living, the governor has been able to deliver on that.” He said.
 NIGERIAN ECHO