No fewer than 20,000 traders in Edo have been shortlisted to benefit from the Federal Government’s ‘Trader Moni’ programme.
The governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki, disclosed this in Benin on Wednesday at a Christmas party organised by Edo Market Women Association (EMWA).
Obaseki said a more detailed data about the traders to benefit from the initiative was being compiled ahead of the disbursement by January.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Social Investment Programme aimed at boosting the petty businesses in the country is coordinated by the office of the Vice-president.
Obaseki thanked the market women in the state for supporting his administration.
“You have been our support and without you we would not have succeeded especially in the development of an electronic tax collection system,” he said.
He also said funds had been approved for the construction of boreholes and toilet facilities in all the markets in the state before the end of 2019 through the State Sustainable Development Goals office.
“We are beginning with 18 markets in Oredo, Ikpoba Okha and Egor Local Government Councils as first phase from January 2019,” the governor said.
Earlier, president of the Edo Market Women Association, Mrs Blacky Ehi-Ogianien said market women had fared well under governor Obaseki’s administration due to the government’s various favourable policies.
She expressed delight on the ongoing reforms in all sectors of the state’s economy, especially the road infrastructure, sports, education and health care.
The market leader, however, urged the governor to consider members of the association when making appointments into various boards of agencies in the state.
