Market women solicit soft loans from govt

Written by Nasir Imam Tuesday, 28 June 2011 00:00

Market women in Abuja have called on the Federal Government to urgently empower them with soft loans at low interest rates to enable them purchase items from numerous Fadama markets for onward sale to the public.

President, FCT Market Women Association, Chief Felicia Sani, made the call at the end of a bi-annual meeting of the association at Garki International Market, Abuja.

She said the association, which has over 30 million members nationwide, meets twice every month and every last Monday in the month of June as well as first Monday in December every year.

Mrs Felicia Sani said Nigeria enjoys the blessings of God, having been shielded from disasters such as tsunami and earthquakes, which are ravaging other parts of the world.

She thanked the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, for inspiring women to come out and vote during last April’s elections.

According to her, women should not be blamed for the increase in foodstuffs prices, rather, they should be empowered so as to reduce the increases being experienced.

Patron of the organisation, Hajia Binta Ibrahim, congratulated the market women and commended the manner in which they organised themselves.

Highlight of the event was the presentation of gift items, such as bags of rice, spaghetti and bundles of clothing materials to the women by the First Lady’s representative, Mrs. Ayotunde Adezuba.