Excitement Engulfs C'River Central as Sen. Eteng Distributes N76.5 Million, 1,200 Bags of Rice for Yuletide
Judex Okoro
Festive cheer swept across Cross River Central Senatorial District as Senator Eteng Jonah Williams marked the Yuletide season with an expansive welfare outreach, distributing N76.5 million in cash and 1,200 bags of rice to constituents across six local government areas.
The Senator, who represents Cross River Central in the National Assembly, extended the gesture to communities in Boki, Etung, Abi, Obubra, Ikom and Yakurr local government areas, describing the initiative as part of his commitment to sharing the dividends of democracy and easing economic pressure on residents during the festive season.
A breakdown of the distribution shows that Boki, Etung and Abi local government areas received N12.5 million each, amounting to N37.5 million, while Obubra, Ikom and Yakurr received N13 million each, totalling N39 million. In addition, each local government area received 200 bags of rice.
Beneficiaries of the intervention included persons with disabilities, women, youths, support groups, traditional rulers and other critical stakeholders within the constituency.
Speaking at separate stakeholders’ meetings held across the district, Senator Eteng said the annual yuletide outreach was designed to strengthen bonds with the people and provide him with firsthand insight into their needs and expectations.
He explained that his regular visits to communities were not merely ceremonial but intended to foster informal engagement, allowing him to better understand local challenges and fine tune his representation accordingly.
The Senator expressed appreciation to constituents for their sustained support, urging them to remain resilient in the face of economic challenges in the coming year. He assured them of increased attention to their welfare and development needs going forward.
Stakeholders across the local government areas commended the Senator for what they described as people centred leadership and consistent grassroots engagement.
In Yakurr, the Council Chairman, Hon. Yibala Bassey, praised Senator Eteng for touring all local government areas in the district, describing the gesture as a reflection of inclusive representation. He assured the Senator of continued support from the people of Yakurr ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At the Abi Council Hall, the Council Chairman, Hon. Egballa Bassey, lauded the Senator’s performance, noting that several young men and women in Abi had benefited from his scholarship scheme.
He said the people of Abi remain firmly behind the Senator, urging him to intensify efforts to attract development projects, particularly from the Niger Delta Development Commission. He also assured that Abi communities have embraced peace and remain safe and welcoming for contractors.
In Obubra, community leader Chief Alex Ireck commended Senator Eteng for identifying with the people during the festive season, describing the visit as reassuring and timely.
He expressed hope that the engagement would open new opportunities for Obubra indigenes, especially through the execution of projects by local contractors, while reaffirming the community’s support for the Senator.
The yuletide outreach, stakeholders agreed, underscored Senator Eteng’s political style of direct engagement, welfare driven intervention and sustained presence at the grassroots, reinforcing his growing influence across Cross River Central Senatorial District.
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