The Kwara State government is to obtain N750 million loan from the Bank of Industry to promote and encourage small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in the state.

The state Commissioner for Commerce and Cooperatives, Alh. Saka Onimago disclosed this yesterday in Ilorin, the state capital while briefing newsmen on the activities of his ministry in the last one year.

He said the state governor, Alh. AbdulFatah Ahmed had given his ministry the approval to obtain the loan.

Onimago further disclosed that the governor had released N250 million for disbursement to cooperative societies in the state as revolving loans.

He said that 147 cooperative societies had so far benefited from the loan scheme while 10 micro-finance banks were accredited for the loan disbursement to ensure probity and transparency.

On his part, the Special Assistant on Youths Employment, Alh. Saka Babatunde, said the government had employed 2, 000 youths under its bridge empowerment scheme (KWABES).

He said 1, 000 of the youths would be given full employment in 10 days time.

Babatunde noted that the fact that over 42, 000 youths had registered with KWABES underscored the relevance of the scheme.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Alh. Mohammed Baba Kpan, said the government had entered into partnership with some foreign expatriates to further boost commercial agriculture and provide job opportunities for the people of the state.

He announced plans by the government to develop six grasing reserves in all the three senatorial zones of the state to minimize the incessant clashes between the herdsmen and farmers in the state.