Succour for Enugu traders as Ugwuanyi launches empowerment scheme

THERE was jubilation in Kenyatta Market in Enugu, the Enugu State capital on Tuesday, following the launching of N60 million empowerment scheme by the state government.

Nigerian Tribune observed that traders under the auspices of Kenyatta Traders’ Association, lauded Governor  Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for the financial empowerment,  saying it would boost economic activities in the state.

The chairman of Kenyatta Market Traders Association, Mazi Igwesi, explained to reporters after the inauguration of the empowerment scheme, that the scheme was designed to empower market traders in the state through a monthly raffle draw where 100 lucky winners would get N50, 000 each.

Igwesi said that the state government promised to provide the sum of N5 million every month to support the scheme, adding,  “Winners of the lottery are expected to invest the money into their various businesses to help promote all round economic growth in the state.”

According to him,  “The scheme is yet another effort by the state government to boost economic activities in the state and improve the lives of ordinary members of the society in line with the present administration’s promise to deploy government resources and services to create fair and equal opportunities to every willing citizen to make a living, create wealth, enjoy life in a peaceful and secure environment.”

Igwesi disclosed that Governor Ugwuanyi had also done well in provision of infrastructure facilities at Kenyea Market, pointing out that he had redeemed his campaign promise by giving a transformer to the market

Also speaking. the Secretary-General of the traders’ association, Chief Donatus Okeke, stated that his colleagues were very happy with the government empowerment, adding  the governor had secured second tenure ticket  as “No governor had solved the traders’ problems like him.

He said that the number of winners from kenyea market would have been more than ten but regretted that only three lucky winners emerged from the Kenyta market because they refused to register their for the scheme. thinking that government would use it to source for revenue.

Chief Okeke who said that the market is facing some difficulties, pleaded with the State government to help tidy the market environment because the market would be flooded  with  water during raining season.

“Our members are very happy about the empowerment, they praised the governor. In fact, that single act has already given him a second tenure ticket because on the minds of traders everybody is talking about that. There is no governor that has touched the lives of traders like Governor  Ugwuanyi”

He said that Governor Ugwuanyi has come to help the people,  recalling that on September 29, 2015, a similar open lottery programme was organised for civil servants on grade level one and ten, where 100 units of one bedroom apartment at Elim Estate, Enugu for which the government paid over 30 percent equity contribution.