Posted on June 5, 2009 - by Gavin

Nigeria: Unitar Partners Rivers in Microfinance Training…

All Africa.com

Port Harcourt — The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), is to collaborate with the Rivers State Microfinance Agency (RIMA), in the training of personnel on microfinance issues at the grassroot level.

Speaking during a meeting between officials of both agencies in Port Harcourt, the Regional Chief of UNITAR Nigeria, Dr. Lawrence Boms who disclosed that the partnership with RIMA was borne out of its quest for grass root development, expressed readiness to strengthen the capacity of RIMA in handling issues concerning microfinance scheme through training.

He emphasized that UNITAR was already collaborating with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and some oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region as well as governments of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Rivers States in the area of training and retraining of their workforce.

Dr. Boms commended RIMA for the structures already on ground as well as its efforts towards impacting on the lives of Rivers people through the provision of affordable loan.

Responding, the Managing Director, Rivers State Microfinance Agency, Sir Victor Halliday, lauded the partnership, expressing optimism that the agency will benefit immensely from UNITAR’s world class training programmes.

The RIMA boss narrated the various variables put in place to achieve Governor Amaechi’s vision, stressing that in the next few years Rivers people will appreciate the administration’s poverty alleviation initiatives.

Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/200906040891.html