The Zamfara State Government has disbursed N70 million to empower 300 Point-of-Sale (PoS) operators in a bid to fast-track the implementation of the cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Alhaji Yazeed Danfulani, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industries, made this known while distributing PoS machines to 300 youths and women on Wednesday in Gusau.
Danfulani said the gesture was part of Governor Bello Matawalle's empowerment and wealth creation program, adding that the PoS business would boost the cashless policy and make beneficiaries self-reliant. Each beneficiary will receive a PoS machine, mobile shop, plastic chairs and tables to attend to customers, and N50,000 seed capital to start the PoS transaction.
The Commissioner said about N70 million had been earmarked for the program, and the PoS business would boost the state's economy and revenue base and enhance wealth creation in the society. He added that the government had set up a monitoring mechanism to ensure the prudent use of the machines and other items given to the beneficiaries.
Danfulani urged the beneficiaries to ensure effective utilization of the items and set up their businesses to make them self-reliant. He also said that the government was committed to reducing poverty in the state by empowering the youth and women to become self-employed.
The Commissioner further stated that the empowerment program aligned with the state government's policy of creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. He urged the beneficiaries to make the best use of the opportunity, assuring them that the government would continue to support them to succeed in their businesses.
The PoS operators expressed appreciation to the state government for the gesture, saying it would go a long way in reducing poverty and unemployment in the state. They promised to make good use of the opportunity given to them and ensure that the machines and other items provided to them were put to good use.