Akwa Ibom State governor, Umo Eno has provided N50 million grant for 500 petty traders in Eket, to assist them improve their businesses.
Eno, at the inauguration of a 5000-capacity conference hall in Eket Local Government Area, at the weekend, explained that the beneficiaries are petty traders under the Eket ARISE Empowerment Initiative.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Frank Archibong, explained that each of the 500 petty traders would receive N100,000.
According to him, the money will make a lot of difference for petty traders in the area.
“This is ‘Arise Agenda’ at work in the local government; this government is desirous of seeing more of this project in the landscape of every local government area in Akwa Ibom.
‘’The project reflects collective vision for progress and determination to complement the transformative ‘ARISE AGENDA’, championed by the administration,’’ he said.
Eno urged the council to ensure that a monitoring mechanism is put in place to see how successful the beneficiaries were able put the grant to use.
He, however, commended the council for achieving the conference hall project, describing it as landmark since it would serve as a place for meetings.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Eket Local Government,Mr Akaniyene Tommey, said the event was not merely an infrastructure and economic empowerment celebration, but tangible evidence of unwavering commitment to the people’s growth and prosperity.
Tommey said the ‘ARISE AGENDA’ of the Governor Eno-led administration is a well-crafted roadmap designed to uplift the socio-economic standard of Akwa Ibom people.
He said the facility was designed to serve as a premier hub for major events, conferences and social gatherings.
“It will be a key driver of our Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, and will also create numerous employment opportunities in the area,” Tommey said.
The chairman explained that the N50 million grant to 500 entrepreneurs is a clear demonstration of the resolve to support Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, which are the backbone of the economy.
He said the proposed ultramodern Eket legislative complex would mark another stride in infrastructural development when completed.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Deborah Willie commended the chairman for finding her worthy to benefit from the empowerment grant.
She promised to use the money judiciously in order to grow her petty trading business in the area.
Highlight of the event was the foundation stone laying ceremony of Eket legislative complex. (NAN)
