Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, on Wednesday, flagged off the distribution of N350 million interest-free loans to 1,000 residents under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project.
AbdulRazaq said the initiative, funded by the World Bank through the Community Revolving Fund (CRF), was aimed at empowering small business clusters, strengthening grassroots economies and promoting sustainable development.
He said that the beneficiaries, drawn from various community interest groups, would receive the loans to support economic activities at the grassroots.
The governor said the programme underscored his administration’s commitment to poverty reduction and economic inclusion.
“This World Bank-supported initiative is designed to provide women, youth, farmers and cooperatives with access to resources to create wealth, generate employment and uplift households.
“It is a practical step towards reducing poverty,” he said.
AbdulRazaq urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the funds and ensure prompt repayment to enable others to benefit.
“I congratulate the pioneer beneficiaries. You are required to refund the loans to allow more people to benefit from the scheme,” he added.
Also, the Commissioner for Environment and Chairman of the ACReSAL Steering Committee, Nafisat Musa Buge, said the success of the programme depended on proper utilisation and timely repayment of the loans.
“Today is not just about distributing funds, but about planting seeds of hope, empowerment and sustainable growth,” she said.
Buge added that the ACReSAL project had also provided potable water to some rural communities in the state to improve living conditions.
The State Project Coordinator, Alhaji Shamsideen Aregbe, said the CRF initiative reflected the governor’s commitment to inclusive development and shared prosperity.
He commended development partners and stakeholders for their contributions to the success of the programme.
Also speaking, the Emir of Shonga, Dr Haliru Yahaya, lauded the governor for his commitment to community development, noting that his domain had benefited from the ACReSAL project and other infrastructure programmes.
A representative of the beneficiaries, Mrs Abdulkareem Olapeju, described the initiative as life-changing and appreciated the government’s intervention.
The event was attended by government officials, traditional rulers, community leaders, market women and support groups.
