Senator Ekpenyong Distributes Hundreds of Minibuses, Keke Napeps, Cash Grants to Cross River Residents

 

 

The Senator representing Cross River South Senatorial District, Asuquo Ekpenyong, has distributed hundreds of minibuses, tricycles and cash grants to residents of Cross River State as part of a large-scale empowerment programme aimed at boosting economic activities and self-reliance.

 

The empowerment event, which took place on Saturday at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, drew beneficiaries, political stakeholders and officials of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Speaking during the ceremony in Calabar, Senator Ekpenyong said the initiative was designed to complement the economic and development agenda of President Bola Tinubu and Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu.

 

According to the senator, the programme focused on equipping youths and women with practical skills, startup support and income-generating assets capable of improving their standard of living.

 

“What we are doing is to complement the efforts and wonderful works of His Excellency, Bola Tinubu, and our dear Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Otu. Today, we are here to train our young men and women in skills acquisition, give grants for start-ups, and empower our people with capital items ranging from minibuses to keke napep,” he said.

 

Ekpenyong explained that the empowerment materials were facilitated through federal agencies and urged beneficiaries to make productive use of the items rather than sell them.

 

“Do not sell these capital items. Do not kill the goose that lays the golden egg. Maintain them and sustain your family for months and years to come. If you sell them off, you end up with a one-time gain,” he advised.

 

The lawmaker also assured constituents that the empowerment initiative would continue, while calling for sustained support for the administration of President Tinubu.

 

Director of Commercial and Industrialisation at the Niger Delta Development Commission, Linda Okara, disclosed that 150 minibuses and 200 tricycles were distributed through a collaborative effort with the senator.

 

She noted that beneficiaries were selected through grassroots stakeholders to ensure transparency, fairness and inclusiveness.

 

“This is done by stakeholders so that it does not look like we are imposing people, but that these names are brought forward from the grassroots,” she said.

 

Also speaking at the event, the NDDC State Director in Cross River, Daniel Ajunwa, described the intervention as part of wider efforts to engage young people meaningfully, reduce unemployment and discourage criminal activities.

 

“Today, Asuquo Ekpenyong has decided to fulfil his promise to his people. He brought all these vehicles and buses to give to the youths to make them self-reliant,” Ajunwa stated.

 

One of the beneficiaries, Arit Nyong, expressed gratitude to the senator for fulfilling his campaign promises, saying the support would improve livelihoods and promote economic independence.

 

“We are grateful to our leader, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, for this kind gesture. We will continue to pray for him. This will surely transform and better our lives and make us self-independent,” she said.