Governor Bassey Otu has disclosed that his government has carried out unprecedented welfare and palliative schemes for the state’s vulnerable people to cushion the effects of the current economic challenges in Nigeria.
In a statement by the commissioner for information, Erasmus Ekpang, which warned people against participating in the planned August 1 public protest, Gov. Otu said that since coming on board one year ago, he has taken proactive steps to provide succour to different segments of society.
He stated that the goal is to promote economic growth and enhance citizens’ quality of life.
According to Otu, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs’ Cash Transfer Unit has distributed N1,328,280,000.00 to 17,138 beneficiaries spread across the 18 local government areas.
“Under the Small and Medium Enterprises, NG-CARES has disbursed grants ranging from N100,000.00 to N400,000.00 to 2,136 Enterprises in the State.
The Ministry of Agriculture, under FADAMA, has distributed farm implements for various value chains such as rice, cassava, poultry, piggery, and aquaculture to over 73,634 beneficiaries.
“The recently launched Livelihood Grant Programme, also implemented by Cash Transfer Unit, witnessed over 4,000 poor and vulnerable individuals getting between N50,000.00 and N200,000.00 each.
“In the same vein, the Ministry of Youths Development’s Labour Intensive Public Works program enrolled 20,898 poor and vulnerable youths, paid them six months’ stipends totaling N1,253,880,000.00, and built and distributed over 100 canoes and fishing boats to youths in riverine communities, including grants worth over two billion Naira.”
Otu further assured that his administration was working round the clock to improve the economic fortunes of the residents.
