IN furtherance with its mission of improving the economic and social well being of Niger Deltans, the Federal Government has distributed 150 tricycles to youths and women in Calabar, Cross River State.
The initiative aimed at improving the ease of transportation and enhancing economic activities in the State is one of many put in place by the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to improve the standard of living of the people in the Niger Delta region.
Speaking in Calabar, Cross River State, at the distribution of the tricycles, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani, revealed that the programme was aimed at improving the lives of the vulnerable in the society; the physically challenged, widows, and orphans, who are, most times, financially handicapped.
The Minister, who was represented by Mrs Lauretta Braide, Director of Community Development and Education Department of the Ministry, said that the event, which was the first phase of the scheme, was for now, limited to three Local Government Areas of the Southern Senatorial District of the State, adding that other parts of the State and other states of the region would benefit from subsequent phases of the empowerment programme as soon as the implementation of the 2018 budget commences.
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He expressed hope that the initiative would lead to improved peace and development of Cross River State and other states in the Niger Delta region. He said that the scheme was complementary to the commendable efforts of the State Government to create employment opportunities for its populace.
Usani advised the beneficiaries against selling their tricycles as this would defeat the essence of the scheme, rather, they should be put to good economic use for their benefits, the society as well as their families.
In his remarks, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Aminu Aliyu BIsalla, represented by Dr. Sam Eno, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics congratulated the beneficiaries for getting selected to gain from the scheme and urged them to put the tricycles to good use.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Florence Akonjom Ayip, thanked the Federal Government for “thinking of such a brilliant initiative”.
Mrs. Ayip who said that as a widow, it had been financially tasking to take care of her children and other responsibilities, expressed confidence that the tricycle would help in ameliorating her difficulties.
Mrs. Ekanem Henshaw, another beneficiary commended the Federal Government for making the scheme gender sensitive, promising that her tricycle would be judiciously used to improve her financial status.
Mr. Richard Etim Edet, a youth beneficiary said that being selected as one of the beneficiaries was a big relieve as he would no longer wonder to eke a living.
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