Guber Polls: FG resumes sharing N10,000 tradermoni in Bayelsa

There was excitement in Bayelsa State on Thursday over the resumption of N10,000 tradermoni disbursement by the Federal Government

It was gathered that 10,000 traders had so far benefited from the interest free loan under the Tradermoni Empowenment Scheme (TES).

Organisers of the programme went to major markets in Yenagoa, the state capital, such as the Tombia-Etegwe roundabout and Okaka markets to disburse the funds to jubilant traders, who registered for the scheme.

Speaking after the exercise, the Strategy and Operations Officer of the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), Mr. Taiwo Tunmobi said over 20,000 traders registered for the programme while more than 10,000 so far benefited from it.

Taiwo appealed to the beneficiaries to make good use of the money and ensure they pay back at the stipulated time to enable government do more for them.

On the mode of payback, the GEEP officer said the options given to the beneficiaries were to make daily payment of N85 or N430 weekly to the tradermoni account of the federal government in any bank of their choice after two weeks of grace.

He said: “Those, who finish the repayment of their first loan on time stand the opportunity to receive higher amount of N15,000 and so on. The federal government has a very big plan for the empowerment of small scale enterprises.

“The programme is for the federal government to empower traders, artisans and it makes it easier for young entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.

“Of course, our targets are micro business SMEs; these are people who typically have zero access to credit. As the government helps them to grow their businesses, their families will benefit and the economy will also benefit”, he added.

Some of the beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the federal government for helping them to grow their businesses.

The Chairperson of Tombia-Etegwe roundabout market, Mrs. Felicia Okwodejo thanked the federal government and the organisers of the programme for making her a beneficiary, urging other beneficiaries to ensure that they pay back the money as when due.

Another beneficiary, Mrs. Deborah Azeveli, who runs a provision store said: “l really appreciate the federal government because this makes me feel a sense of belonging for the first time in my life. This will boost my business a lot”.