Traders appeal to FG, Nasarawa Govt. for soft loans
NAN-H-20
Loans
By Awayi Kuje
Keffi (Nasarawa state) Jan. 25, 2017 (NAN) Traders in Keffi market in Nasarawa state on Wednesday appealed to the Federal and Nasarawa State Governments to assist them with soft loans to boost their businesses and fight poverty.
Some of the traders, who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Keffi, said that provision of soft loan to them would go a long way to boost their business activities.
According to them, it will also boost the revenue base of the government and as well as fight poverty in the society.
Mrs Sarah Obinna, who operates a Restaurant, said that if government at all levels could provide soft loans to traders, it would not only fight poverty, but also create job opportunities in the society.
“As you can see, I engage these girls and boys to work in my restaurant; if my business improve today, I will engage more of them, this will reduce youths restiveness and others social vices in the society.
“It is in view of this that, I want to appeal to the Federal and Nasarawa state government to provide traders with soft loans to boost our businesses.
“The provision of the soft loan will also help us to expand our business for the betterment of the society.
“When our business expand, we will employ more people thereby complementing government’s efforts in fighting unemployment, poverty and other social vices in the society because an idle hand is a devil workshop”
She has also urged the Federal and state governments to improve more on the welfare of their workers in order to boost the socio-economic activities of the country.
She said that improving workers’ welfare in the country would also improve the standard of living of traders and non-working class.
Another trader, Mohammed Isah, a textile dealer, also appealed to the government at all levels to provide soft loan to them in order to boost their socio-economic activities for the overall development of the country.
“It will be impossible for government to employ every citizen, but what they need to do is to look at people who are self employed and assist them with soft loans
“Due to stringent measures of collateral security by commercial banks, it makes it difficult for some of us to get loans from banks.
“However, soft loan from government will go a long way to boost our business activities and fight poverty in the society, “he said.
Miss Jecinta Luka, a recharge cards seller in Keffi, also appealed to government at all levels to ensure prompt payment of workers’ salaries.
She stressed the importance of improving on the welfare of workers.
“To be sincere, when workers’ salaries and others incentives are paid promptly, businessmen and women will also enjoy, “she said. (NAN)
AKW/KOLE/AFA
Edited by Remi Koleoso/Felix Ajide