The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has reassured Akwa Ibomites that he will continue to serve the interest of the people especially the downtrodden through various empowerment activities aimed at ameliorating their sufferings.
He stated this during the disbursement of funds to 1055 beneficiaries under livelihood support through cash transfer and 2 Micro projects for 12 communities as well as grants to Nano, micro and small-scale businesses in Phase II of the Akwa Ibom Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (AK-CARES) Programme which took place at Ibom Hall, earlier today.
The Governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah reiterated his commitment towards the well-being of citizens in the State.
“I’m elected to serve the interest of the people especially those at the down end of the ladder, I’m their advocate while also serving the other side of the society. This is because I was once like them.
“We reassure them that Government is for them to make them feel better and comfortable through its policies and programmes”, he added.
He commended the Commissioner for Economic Development and Chairman of AK-CARES Steering Committee, Mr Emem Bob for painstakingly ensuring that the programme is a reality as well as interpreting the ideas and visions of the administration and actualising it.
The Governor noted that so far his government has made regular payments of gratuity, given out free food vouchers to the vulnerable, constructed Arise homes for the downtrodden, fifty thousand naira monthly to the elderly through the Arise Initiative for the elderly, provided medical outreach programme where seven thousand (7000) people were treated, among others.
Earlier during his keynote address, the Commissioner for Economic Development and Chairman of AKCARES Steering Committee, Emem Bob, thanked Governor Eno for the remarkable milestone he achieved so far within his one year in office especially for approving funds for disbursement and implementing the Arise agenda aimed at improving the lives of the vulnerable in the State.
“His Excellency will be one year in office, we are celebrating him in a big way for touching lives. He has touched lives, built drainages, constructed many roads, touched lives of market women, improved the health sector, empowered the poor masses,” he said.
He further thanked the Federal Government and World Bank for organising the programme aimed at ameliorating the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr. Bob explained that the second phase of the Programme commenced in January 2024, when FADAMA through the Ministry of Agriculture gave out 50-day-old chicks, 6 bags of feeds, 200 juveniles, 5 bags of feeds to 900 farmers, 700 poultry farmers, 3 weaners, 1 He-Goat and 2 She-Goats each to 1200 beneficiaries. 20 tomato processing machines, palm oil processing machines for 2 groups of 10 beneficiaries, grading of 16 rural roads, construction of boreholes and toilets in 10 wet markets.
He also said that under the Ministry of Trade and Investment through the Bank of Industry, 231 beneficiaries received 31 million during the first batch to support their businesses.
The Chairman AKCARES Steering Committee further urged beneficiaries to make proper use of the funds to boast their businesses for the greater good of the state and the objectives of the Programme.
In her goodwill message, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr Ini Adiakpan, described the Governor as a compassionate man who has come to sort out the vulnerable in the State.
She noted that under her ministry, through the cash transfer, over 1950 persons have been beneficiaries of “Better Don Come” the slogan used under DLI 1.3 (Livelihood grant), this has helped them to recapitalise their businesses.
Also in his goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary, of Trade and Investment, Mr Oliver Udoukpo eulogised the Governor for everything he has done not just for the youths but also for the vulnerable.
“We are gathered here today to receive some amount of money from our Governor, I commend you all for accepting to be part of this history, I urge you all to make good use of the money because it will be monitored, do not go to marry more wives,” he admits
Photos at the Event:
