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Governor Dapo Abiodun has disbursed sum of N200million as grants-in- aid fund for over 600 Community Development Committees (CDCs) and Community Development Associations (CDAs) for self – help community development projects across 20 local governments of the state.
The some of beneficiary associations received half a million naira each while the highest beneficiaries got N5 million each.
Abiodun who presented symbolic cheques in like sums to the beneficiaries on Wednesday at the 2022 World Community Day and World Trade day in Abeokuta, the state capital, noted that the fund was an increase from the initial N100,000 being expended under the former administration.
The governor while addressing different CDAs, CDCs, trade organisations and artisan groups at the MKO Abiola Stadium, also announced that his administration had approved a sum N500 million to cater for Micro Small and Medium Scale Enterprise in the state.
He stressed that the gesture is meant to fast track the public/private sector partnership, which he said had been affirmed to be working.
He said, “I have approved the increase of Grants in Aid of sums ranging from N500,000 to N5 million to fast track this partnership that has been affirmed to be working. Under this new grant in aid, the least any community and different associations will go home with is N500,000. These funds are meant for community projects.
“Similarly, I have also approved up to N5 million as funds for projects considered to be really outstanding.
“These are our contributions to support the efforts of the community and applaud their initiatives towards ensuring that communities get the desired mini infrastructures and in the long run our communities will remain habitable, safe and secured.
“For our trade and artisan group, I have redirected that a revolving loan facility of N500 million be instituted to cater for the much needed Micro Small and Medium Scale Enterprise financial support. This scheme will be launch before the end of this year.”
Also speaking, Commissioner for Community Development and Cooperatives, Hon Abayomi Hunye, lauded governor Abiodun for according community associations a place in his administration’s developmental agenda, noting that the socioeconomic development of any state lies in the hands of the community.
Abayomi said that the state government would monitor all the communities to ensure that the funds are judiciously spent for the purposes they were meant.
“The state government has graciously given over 200 million. Provisionally we will monitor it to ensure that it’s of standard and yearly the community will audit their records to make sure that there is no embezzlement,” he said.
