Kano Govt criticizes FG’s allocation of N500b small scale support fund

Kano state Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf has criticized the federal government’s allocation of N500 billion through the Bank of Industry to support small-scale industries across the country’s geopolitical zones.

Governor Yusuf said, the distribution was heavily skewed, with Lagos State receiving 47% of the allocation, followed by the South-South Zone with 17%, and other regions receiving significantly lower percentages.

The Governor represented by his deputy, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo said,. the distribution is unfair, unconstitutional, and illegal.

He called on relevant authorities, including Senators and Members of the House of Representatives, to rectify the situation and take appropriate action against those responsible.

The Governor made the statement while speaking at a meeting with representatives from the Kano Cooperative Society as part of activities in commemoration of the 2023 International Day of Cooperatives.

According to a statement issued to newsmen by Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu said, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo emphasized the importance of Cooperative Societies as vehicles through which citizens can improve their lives and contribute to the overall development of their community and nation.

Musa Hassan Aikawa, President of the Kano Cooperative Society, spoke on behalf of the delegation and emphasized the significance of cooperatives in enhancing the lives of their members.

He highlighted the fact that Kano State has over 2.8 million cooperative members, primarily consisting of young people. Aikawa requested intervention from the state government to develop strategies for reducing the high unemployment rate in the state.

Haj. Mairo Audi Danbatta, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Solid Minerals, expressed solidarity with the cooperative movement and encouraged the youth to embrace cooperative business ventures as a means of progress and reducing unemployment in Kano State.

Governor Yusuf announced that the state government would engage Cooperative Societies in designing poverty eradication and sustainable development programs.

“Furthermore, committees would be established to review the activities of Cooperative Desk Officers in each Local Government Area, while desk officers would be introduced in major markets such as Dawanau, Kantin Kwari, Yan Lemo among others to guide and support cooperative activities” he disclosed

The meeting was attended by several dignitaries, including government officials and representatives from educational institutions related to cooperative activities in Kano State.