Sokoto – The Sokoto State House of Assembly Committee on Commerce, Industry and Tourism has recommended the establishment of micro finance banks in each of the 23 local government areas of the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the recommendation is contained in the committee’s report presented to the assembly by its Chairman, Alhaji Tanimu Kyadawa (APC- Gada West), in Sokoto on Wednesday.
“Micro finance banks should be established in the state capital and in each of the 23 local governments in the state.
The committee also recommended the establishment of small and medium enterprises (SME) development agency in the state.
Kyadawa said, “the agency is to be charged with the responsibility of promoting and facilitating the development programmes in small and medium scale industries sub-sector in the state.
“The agency shall collaborate with relevant bodies and organisations to initiate, organise and coordinate seminars, training, conferences, workshops, and interactive sessions for promotional and capacity building purposes.
“The agency shall be empowered to put in place platforms to facilitate government’s intervention that would ensure the less privileged in the state have access and direct benefit from SMEs and micro finance.
“The agency shall propose, pursue and promote entrepreneurship programmes and schemes for the attainment of its goals”, he added.
Kyadawa also said the agency will mobilise rural women in micro economic activities groups and micro credit facilities, among others.
The Speaker of the House, Alhaji Salihu Maidaji, said members will go through the committee’s recommendations.
In Another development, the House called on the State Government to contain the gully erosion along Marnona – Isa road in Isa local government of the state.
This followed a motion moved by Alhaji Habibu Modachi (APC- Isa) and seconded by Alhaji Musa Miko (APC- Tangaza).
Modachi said,“due to the nature of the road constructed in Fadama areas, there is possibility of gully erosion in many places.
He said the problem was worse especially at the major road connecting Isa and Sabon-Birni local governments and some parts of Zamfara state connecting the city of Sokoto.
“This road is facing threats of erosion. If not taken care of in good time, could lead to total disconnection of the people living around this area”, he cautioned.
Modachi added that communities were making efforts while the local government constructs embankments and stone pitch some areas in order to arrest the situation.
The speaker said, “the House calls on the state government to intervene on the issue as soon as possible before the commencement of rain across the state.
“This is in order not to disconnect any part of the state from performing their activities.
”This will also ease the suffering of the people especially those living in Isa and Sabon-Birni local governments of the state”, Maidaji said. (NAN)