In line with the pledge of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the Rivers State Government has commenced the disbursement of interest free loans to traders and entrepreneurs.

The State Government also announced that it will prosecute those indicted by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry that investigated the management of funds of the Integrated Medical Industries (IMI) Limited.

The resolutions of the Rivers State Government were made public by the State Commissioner of Information and Communications, Emma Okah, the State Attorney General, Dr Zaccheus Adango and Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on Politics and Strategy, Chief Emeh Glory Emeh on Thursday after the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House Port Harcourt.

Okah said that the State Government has also disbursed interest free loans to civil servants under the first phase of the programme.

He said that empowerment programme will run on a monthly basis for civil servants in the state.

Also speaking, Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on Politics and Strategy, Chief Emeh Glory Emeh said that the interest free loans for entrepreneurs and traders have been disbursed for 12 Local Government Areas.

He said that under the second phase of the exercise, 11 Local Government Areas will benefit from the scheme.

Emeh said that 600 traders and entrepreneurs have benefited from the empowerment scheme, while N200MILLION shall be disbursed monthly.

He added the list of all beneficiaries will be published for Rivers people to know the beneficiaries.

On IMI Limited, Attorney-General of Rivers State, Dr Zaccheus Adango said that N34.5b invested by the Rivers State Government in the company was squandered.

He noted that those indicted by the Justice Constance Green Judicial Commission of Inquiry on the embezzlement of the IMI funds will face the full weight of the law.

He said: “The Honourable Attorney General has been mandated to pursue the criminal prosecution of Mr M. Nwokoma, who was the Project Manager of IMI, Dr Chamberlain Peterside and Dr Samson Parker.

“Once the White Paper is published, the Honourable Attorney General will commence the prosecution “.

Simeon Nwakaudu,

Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor, Electronic Media.