Sen. Ekpenyong Empowers Over 700 Constituents With N200,000 Grants, Tricycles Others

By Judex Okoro

The Senator, representing Cross River South Senatorial district, Asuquo Ekpenyong, has empowered over 700 constituents with N200, 000 grants, trycles, refrigerators and other essential items to cushion the harsh economic activities.

 The beneficiaries of the grants and essential business items were mostly youths, women and the vulnerable across communities of the district.

Some other items including laptops, sewing machines, deep freezers, fridges, generators, grinding machines, and tricycles (Keke Napep) were distributed to about 200 constituents. Besides and in collaboration with SMEDAN and Trust Fund Microfinance Bank, over 500 women and young people, received grants ranging from N100,000 to N200,000 for micro and small business.

This is part of the empowerment programmes facilitated by Ekpenyong to boost small scale businesses across the communities of the seven local government areas that make up the senatorail zone.

Ekpenyong, had during electioneering, promised people-oriented programmes and to initiate bills that would alleviate the sufferings of the masses.

By targeting various sectors such as technology, tailoring, food storage, and transportation, Senator Ekpenyong aims to economically strengthen his constituents with the tools necessary to either start or sustain their businesses. Speaking at the event held on Thursday, February 22, 2024 at Channel View Hotel, Calabar, Senator Ekpenyong re-emphasised his commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs and mitigate economic challenges as well as foster long-term economic stability and self-sufficiency within communities.

According to him, this is part of the efforts and commitments towards serving the people of the district and then leverage on the partnerships with government agencies, hoping to mobilise resources through effective leadership.

He stated that such partnership would proactively address the needs of the constituents in times of hardship as this.

The Senator tasked the beneficiaries to utilise the grants and items so as to make meaningful contributions to their local economies and subsequently foster economic growth and employment across the region.

The beneficiaries commended the Senator's kind gestures, emphasising that the items and grants would have a transformative impact on their lives and businesses.

 Speaking, Prince Bassey Ita Edet (Baddest), a tricycle (Keke Napep) recipient, thanked the Senator for his generousity, lauding him for championing grassroots development, describing him as "the master of the alerts to his Cross River South constituents."

A female beneficiary of tricycle from Calabar South, Jane Ekeng, also described the Senator as a great listener, achiever and a grassroots developer whose focus is making Cross River South great.

Another recipient, Mabel Effiom, an entrepreneur who received a sewing machine, said: "This gesture has opened up new possibilities for me. With this sewing machine, I can now expand my tailoring business and support my family."

A beneficiary of deep freezer, Offiong Essien, said: "I have been struggling to keep my perishable goods fresh without proper refrigeration.

 Thanks to Senator Ekpenyong, I can now store more products and increase my sales, improving my livelihood."

One of the recipients of the ₦200,000 business grant, who simply have his name as Ekpo, said: "This grant has provided me with the capital I need to invest in my business and take it to the next level.

 I am grateful to Senator Ekpenyong for believing in us and empowering us to succeed."