The Barisan Nasional (BN) government has approved an allocation of RM100 million to implement the 1Azam poverty-eradication programme in Sabah this year.

Community Development and Consumer Affairs Assistant Minister Anita Baranting said the federal government had allocated RM40 million in 2010, RM80 million in 2011 and another 40 million last year.

"The 1Azam programme at the state-level covers several sectors such as agriculture, entrepreneurship and skills training aimed mainly at improving the economy of the rural residents.

"The government is targeting a total of 7,500 participants to benefit from the 1Azam programme with 6,500 of them to be trained and guided under the state Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry and another 1,000 under the Manpower Department," said Anita.

Her speech text was read out by the Tandek state constituency People's Development Leader, Jelius Radani on Friday..