The Delta State Micro Credit Programme has presented its score-card to the State Government with Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan emphasizing that the scheme and similar programmes are not for political patronage, but for the economic empowerment of the people.

Dr. Uduaghan said the program was a serious one and would ensure that it was well funded.

He explained that the purpose of the program was to as much as possible empower Deltans and reduce hunger in the state.

The governor said the program was already succeeding, given the number of people who have so far been given loans. He however directed Dr. Ashiedu to Network with other organs related to the scheme to ensure more success.

Dr. Uduaghan said all the organs should network and sensitize the communities for more participation.

The Deputy Governor Professor Amos Utuama (SAN), the SSG, Dr. lfeanyi Okowa and some Commissioners expressed satisfaction with the program and suggested the provision of more data as well as the inclusion of experts in the program.

Briefing the Governor earlier on the progress made in the execution of the scheme, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Micro-Credit, Dr. Anthonia Ashiedu, said the target ear-marked for the program was exceeded by more than 300%.

Dr. Ashiedu, said the initial target was for 7,000 clients while in Delta North alone 9,369 people benefited from the program. She also disclosed that in Delta Central 7,386 people benefited while 8,782 benefited in Delta South.

The Executive Assistant attributed the successes of the program to the participation of community leaders, organizing clients into cluster groups and making condition for credit flow.

Dr. Ashiedu also said removal of collateral and working in cluster groups as well as depoliticizing the program brought great acceptance and success to the program.

Explaining further she said "We had to bring in personal touch and visit alot of individuals and groups and monitored their problems and successes".

She commended Royal fathers for their involvement especially by guarantying the credit facilities even as she added that the fear of traditional sanction made her achieve about 75% repayment of the loan.

The Executive Assistant said the program has so far promoted the human capital development and made the state commercially active.

Dr. Ashiedu also said that the program has created employment and would in the near future guarantee a robust economy for the state.

She however outlined some of the problems facing the program to include language and illiteracy level, the non existence of community banks in some areas as well as difficult
terrain.