Governor Rochas Okorocha Empowers 3,500 Women In Imo State

Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo on Monday distributed N100,000 to 3,500 women to unveil the administration’s empowerment programme. The governor, who personally handed over the cheques to the beneficiaries, said the programme was to keep faith with his electoral promise.He said the start-up capital would help them to establish small-scale businesses and pay back the soft loan gradually.Okorocha promised that those who pay back the facility would be given double the initial amount given to them.He expressed the hope that the programme would help to reduce poverty in the state, particularly among women.“This is not the first time we are embarking on empowerment programme; we have donated N500 million to the Niger Delta women and youths as part of efforts to empower them.“One of the greatest empowerment I have offered Imo people is free education which has enabled our women to save money which could have been used to pay school fees,” he said.
Okorocha said traditional rulers would stand as guarantors to the women to ensure that the right people get the loan.The wife of the governor, Nkechi, who also spoke at the occasion, hoped that the soft loan would be utilised to establish good businesses.She thanked the governor for the intervention and urged the beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture by contributing their quota to the development of the state.

I Have Not Borrowed Money to Execute Projects – Rochas Okorocha

Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo State says he has not borrowed any money to execute ongoing projects in the state.Okorocha made the disclosure in a statement signed and issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Owerri on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Sam Onwuemeodo.“I was able to fund such projects following my unconventional style of administration that has blocked all financial leakages,” the statement quoted the governor as saying.The governor described the state as the `fastest developing state’ in Nigeria, adding that he was able to achieve the feat through sacrifice and prudence especially in handling public fund.“I have not borrowed any money; neither is Imo owing any bank or institution.“I am using the state fund to execute all my projects for the state especially the new urban renewal program.“Those people carrying rumours that the state is hugely indebted to new generation banks are either not well informed or enemies of progress.“Upon completion of the massive infrastructural developmental stride of this administration, the incoming governors will have less work to do for the state.“I am laying a solid foundation for the future and I have cut off all means of embezzlement.“This bold step has enabled me to achieve what I am doing today,’’ he said.