Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, says his government has given financial help and support worth ₦10 billion to 7,688 poor people living in rural communities across the state’s 10 federal constituencies.
The announcement was made at the final event of the Town Square Meeting/Empowerment Series in Etinan Federal Constituency.
The programme, which lasted six months, was aimed at improving the lives of people in villages and small towns.
The governor explained that the support included help for farmers, small traders, the supply of work equipment, and even cars and mini buses for transportation businesses.
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In Etinan Federal Constituency alone, 844 people received empowerment packages valued at ₦361.4 million.
Governor Eno also pointed out that beneficiaries were chosen fairly through the state’s ARISE portal and urged more youths and residents to take advantage of the platform in the future.
He assured the people that his government would continue to focus on grassroots development, saying the goal of the scheme is to give rural dwellers better opportunities to grow and succeed.