By Haruna Kuyateh
Kerewan Area Council (KAC) and Reliance Financial Services signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to serve women and infrastructural development.
The MOU is meant to create for ward and lady councillors to assist groups to benefit from Reliance Financial Services Women Financing facilities to promote entrepreneurship and the culture of saving
Speaking during the signing ceremony Ebrima KS Dampha, Governor of North Bank Region said the partnership would empower council and people’s representatives to diversify in to productive sector of the economy.
He emphasized the importance government attaches to private sector partnerships in improving socioeconomic development of the society and strengthen local councils capacity respond to the development needs of people.
Malamin IL Bojang Chairman of Kerewan Area Council described the partnership as timely and assured of council resolved of working with all actors of improving the lives and livelihood.
Chairman Bojang said the MOU help to provide infrastructure that would provide stalls and enable council to generate revenue and undertake development projects of improving the living conditions of taxpayers.
Modou Lamin Joof Head of Operations at Reliance Financial Services disclosed that the company injected D300million to women groups in the last five years and commended women for the 100% loan repayment.
The total reached 6000 women from 150 groups since 2014. The MOU will help to strengthen relationships between the two institutions, building market stalls and hailed Kerewan Area Council for the outstanding partnership, citing providing space for Reliance at Farafenni Central Market.
Seedy Touray Chief Executive Officer of Kerewan Area Council commended Financial Institution for supporting women across the region and launched an appeal for review of 6months of loan, as it affects growth of small businesses.
Aja Gass Lowe chairwoman of lady councilor and Sukai Jarju nominated Women Councilor at Kerewan Area Council call on Reliance to assist women with milling machines to empower groups to generate income.
Jonsaba Jawara President of Kerewan women group noted that the loan was able to encourage women to invest in to small businesses and adopt the culture of saving.
