@Ota Udeh
@Cletus Asuquo
The Senator representing Cross River South Senatorial District, Asuquo Ekpenyong, has warned beneficiaries of the Niger Delta Development Commission-backed empowerment programme against selling the vehicles distributed to them, urging them instead to use the items to build sustainable livelihoods.
Ekpenyong gave the warning during the NDDC Keke Napep and mini bus empowerment programme held in Cross River State, where hundreds of beneficiaries received tricycles and mini buses aimed at boosting transportation businesses and reducing unemployment among youths.
Speaking at the event held at the UJ Esuene Stadium on Saturday, the lawmaker said the initiative was designed to empower young people economically and improve the living conditions of families across the senatorial district.
He explained that the programme was facilitated through collaborations with federal agencies, including the NDDC and the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria.
According to him, the intervention formed part of efforts to complement the developmental strides of Governor Bassey Otu in the state.
He said, “We are here to train our young men and women on skills acquisition, give grants to support businesses and also empower our people with capital items ranging from minibuses to Keke Napep.
“All these were made possible through support from agencies at the federal level. I plead with beneficiaries not to sell these items. Do not kill the goose that lays the golden egg.”
Ekpenyong noted that beneficiaries who properly manage the vehicles would be able to generate steady income for themselves and their families over a long period.
The lawmaker described the programme as the beginning of more empowerment initiatives targeted at improving economic opportunities for residents of the Niger Delta region.
Speaking on behalf of the Executive Director, Projects, of the NDDC, Victor Antai, the Cross River State Director of the commission, Daniel Ajunwa, said the intervention would help engage youths productively and discourage criminal activities.
Ajunwa said the empowerment programme reflected the commitment of the commission and other partnering agencies to supporting grassroots development and entrepreneurship.
He added that several agencies contributed to the initiative, which provided vehicles and startup support for beneficiaries in the district.
Also speaking, the Director of Commercial and Industrialisation at the NDDC, Linda Okara, disclosed that about 200 tricycles and 150 mini buses were distributed during the exercise.
She explained that beneficiaries were selected through stakeholder recommendations to ensure transparency and grassroots participation.
One of the beneficiaries, Arit Agbor, commended the organisers for the initiative, describing it as timely support that would help many youths become self-reliant.
