The government has commended endeavours to empower women and youth groups in Ruvuma region.

The empowerment efforts are done by the National Economic Empowerment Council (NEEC) in collaboration with Tanzania Postal Bank (TPB) whereby 543m/- has already been loaned to various SACCOS and youth entrepreneurship groups.

The Minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Policy, Parliament, Labour, Employment and People with Disabilities, Ms Jenista Mhagama, said over the weekend here that soft loans dished out under the programme were beneficial for development.

“The fifth phase government has vowed to improve entrepreneurship activities in the country; these efforts seek to achieve that goal,” she said. She noted that plans are underway to make sure that all regions benefit from the initiative.

The Minister called upon all councils in Ruvuma region to facilitate in forming women and youth groups to enable the government carry on with empowerment programmes. The NEEC Executive Secretary, Ms Beng’i Issa said the implementation of a programme with TPB was going on well.

“The programme to give soft loans with 11 interest rate under the guarantee of our Council is proceeding on well,” she said. The Council also runs a programme to empower university graduates with entrepreneurship skills in collaboration with Small Industries Development Organisation (SIDO) and Tanzania Competitive Centre.

Another programme run by NEEC is to help motorcycle riders popularly called bodaboda; Ruvuma youth have also benefited under this initiative. Large percentage of loans in Ruvuma was channelled in rural based groups.

TPB Managing Director, Mr Sabasaba Moshi

ngi said the programme was progressing on well whereby loans valued at one billion Tanzania shillings have already been extended to various groups in the country.

He mentioned regions which have benefited so far as Dar es Salaam, Cost Region, Tanga, Kigoma, Kagera and Ruvuma. The initiative is rolling out and Mr Moshingi calls for more women and youths to continue forming entrepreneurship groups to benefit.