Danjuma Michael
29 July 2008
Katsina — The Katsina State Government through its Ministry of Commerce, Tourism and Industry, has for the last one year been disbursing N100 million in interest-free loans to small scale businesses.
The measure is to assist the owners get financial assistance needed to expand or improve on their businesses, and at making youths have something doing to reduce unemployment and related problems.
The first phase is monetary loans, while the second is distribution of solar-powered clippers at subsidised rates to some 500 selected youths. Another distribution is expected to be carried out soon to cover the 34 council areas of the state.
Unlike other barbing instruments, the clippers do not need electricity to operate as they are solar-powered with recycled batteries. This makes it an easy-to-use instrument in rural areas where no power supply exists. Its features among others earned it a popular name, the 'Mobile Barber'.
Governor Ibrahim Shema who expressed confidence in the solar-powered distribution project, said it would help create opportunities for beneficiaries as well as help them in supporting themselves and family. He averred that with hoped success of the project, other states in the country would want to copy or adopt similar in their areas.
He also called on beneficiaries to safeguard the equipment which costs N45, 000 per clipper and other accessories, and assured of importing more should it gain acceptance and usage, as well as import other equipment like welding machines to complement current efforts on assisting small scale businesses.
In his remarks, the state's commerce Commissioner, Alhaji Aminu Jamo, said the clipper operator needed no shop nor generator stand; that a device to solar-charge the batteries are part of the accessories including a rubber bucket to keep the accessories, an umbrella for shelter and anti-dandruff/sterilisers.
He said the clipper operator could move around in market places, mosques and other busy areas within towns and rural communities to barb customers' hair.
Jamo emphasised that Katsina is pioneering the project in Nigeria as part of efforts to generate employment opportunities for youths as well as help small businesses through loan products.
A representative of WAHL Corporation, USA, Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe, who is handling technical aspects of the project, explained merits of the solar-powered clipper.
He said it could generate employment for teeming youths in the state, give the barber potentials to develop himself and family, and that the battery charger could be used to charge phones. This, he said, could be used by the barber to charge customers' phones for profit, which is a multiplier effect.
Mbadiwe said the sterilisers included in the clippers' kit was necessary and deliberate in order to help curb transmission of the HIV/AIDs virus among barbing customers; and averred that it was part of WAHL's commitment in collaboration with the state government to promote awareness on the virus and avoid its spread.
At the occasion, Governor Shema and others were treated with hair cuts using same clippers to showcase products' ability and handling mannerisms. Several youths who are beneficiaries, were given the clippers alongside other accessories. The loaned product is to be paid within period of one year.
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