By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
The senator representing Cross River South senatorial district at the upper chamber of the National Assembly, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, who represents has distributed 150 minibuses, 200 tricycles and business starter items to youths in Cross River State.
Hundreds of beneficiaries were empowered with the automobile products and cash grants aimed at boosting small-scale transport businesses to reduce unemployment in the area.
In total, 200 tricycles, 150 mini buses, and cash grants of ₦250,000 were given to 500 beneficiaries during the exercise.
The empowerment exercise was carried out under the Niger Delta Development Commission’s Commercial Industrialization Directorate and included skills training, grants and the distribution of capital items for young men and women in the district.
Ekpenyong said the initiative was part of his effort to fulfill campaign promises made before assuming office and to help beneficiaries become self-reliant.
He explained further that the items were sourced through federal agencies to complement ongoing state-level development work.
He said, “What I have done in terms of infrastructure, human capital development, all this that we are doing is just to complement the efforts and the wonderful works of Governor Bassey Otu.”
State Director of the NDDC in Cross River State, Daniel Ajunwa, described the intervention as a move to make beneficiaries self-sufficient.
Ajunwa said, “During the electioneering campaign, politicians promised their people, I will do this, I will do that.
“Today, Asuquo Ekpenyong, the committee chairman on the board of NDDC at the Senate level, has decided to fulfill his promise to his own people.”
He added that the tricycles and minibuses would enable youths “to trade, they will use this and make money,” while reducing the number of young men “pursuing a high level of nuisance, that has no future.”
Ajunwa clarified that the project was a multi-agency effort approved by the NDDC board, not solely funded by the commission.
“This was made possible through other agencies, but because he is the chairman of the Senate Committee on the NDDC.”
He noted that a similar program would be held in Delta State next week in partnership with the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Director of Commercial Industrialisation Directorate of the NDDC, Barr. Linda Okara, confirmed the scale of the distribution, adding that it would serve as a pilot for other districts.
She said, “We have 200 mini buses and 150 Keke NAPEP,” adding that the selection process was driven by grassroots stakeholders, “so that it doesn’t look like we are imposing people, but from the bottom of the grassroots that these names are brought forward.”
Ekpenyong urged beneficiaries to maintain the items and avoid selling them.
He pleased, “I plead with you, that as you go home, please do not sell these capital items.
“Do not kill the goose that will lay the golden egg. If you sell it off, you end up having a one-time lump sum. But if you keep it, you maintain it, you sustain your family for months and years to come.”
He also stressed that the support came from the Presidency through federal MDAs, adding, “All these are made available by the President of this Federal Republic. Because I didn’t do this by myself, it was done by MDAs at the federal level.”
Officials said the program would extend to other senatorial districts, with similar support planned for Asaba.
Ajunwa described the initiative as being about “fulfillment of his promises,” noting that further proposals for youth and women empowerment were pending approval.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Arit Agbor Nyong expressed joy over the items and promised they would be put to proper use.
