Reps member launches special empowerment scheme in Cross River constituency

[From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar]

As part of the drive to reduce unemployment in the society, member representing Calabar Municipality and Odukpani in the National Aassembly, Hon. Eta Mbora has launched a special empowerment scheme.

The scheme is aimed at alleviating the plight of constituents and also promoting entrepreneurial skills among members of the Constituency.

Besides this, the Initiative aims to promote enterprise, self reliance, job creation, as well as, boosting agricultural yields.

Speaking during the launching ceremony, the federal lawmaker representing the area in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Ntufam Eta Mbora revealed that the scheme is based on the peculiar  needs from the beneficiaries.

These comprise of entertainers, physically challenged artisans, welders and farmer’s corporative societies.

Rep Mbora  applauded the zeal and commitment demonstrated by the welders during their training programme.

He also tasked other youths to  emulate such enterprising disposition in order become self reliance rather than waiting for white collar jobs.

In his words, “Our vocational skills acquisition is free. We only demand  dedication, commitment and seriousness from the trainees.

“Once you graduate your start off pack and rent for shop is available”

“I want our youths to emulate our brother Ita Ekpenyong. Despite his  challenge,he enlisted to learn welding and was zealous and passionate about the programme.

“Apart from the start off pack I had to add a motorized well chair to him to aid his mobility. He is a great example”, the lawmaker said.

State Women Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP)  in the state, Hon Mrs Florence Inyang lauded Ntufam Mbora for the intervention noting that the gesture  would check unemployment and assist farmers.

Hon Mrs Inyang promised to mobilize unemployed females to embrace the vocational training programme to become employers given non availability of job openings in government circles.

Also speaking, Hon. Ani Ekpenyong, a former Counsellor in Odukpani Legislative Council  described the scheme as a milestone which will curtail capital flight, produce middle level manpower and encourage farmers

One of the beneficiaries, Mr Evans Okon of Exxon Musical Band expressed gratitude to  the federal lawmaker for coming to his assistance with a 9 KVA generator.

He said the timely response will go a long way in promoting his entertainment business revealing that he has lost numerous deals once potential clients discovered he lack a generator to power his system at events venue.