FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INAUGURATES A MINI RICE PROCESSING FACTORY IN NIGER STATE 19-12-24
By Sadiq Aminu The Programme, under the Nigeria For Women Project; a World Bank Assisted initiative started five years ago in six pilot States to economically empower women.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Alhaji Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, stated this while inaugurating the new rice facility at Izom, Gurara Local Government Area of the State.
The six States currently enjoying the Programme with focus on local rice production are Abia, Akwa Ibom, Kebbi, Niger, Ogun and Taraba.
In Niger State, the three Local Government Areas : Agaie, Gurara and Wushishi chosen for the scheme have forty one women affinity groups.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim said the programme would be expanded to all the states and FCT to further enhance the source of livelihoods for women.
The Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State appreciated the Federal government-World Bank programme which he noted has boosted the financial status of many women across the State.
Overjoyed by the programme, the Niger State Governor constructed a crèche for children of women working at the mini rice factory and also promised to construct a 5 Kilometer Road leading to the facility.
Shedding more light on the project the Task Team Leader, Nigeria For Women Project, Mr. Michael Ilesanmi, said Four Hundred and Sixty women are directly benefitting from the World Bank assisted project.
According to the Task Team Leader, women in all the Rice Processing factories under the scheme can produce two tons of Rice per day.
At the end of the programme, a cheque worth over four hundred and Ninety million naira was presented to the 41 women Affinity groups in the State as Operational cost.