AKSG Disburses Over N300m In Grants To Itu, Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituents

… Says Scheme Not For Any Political Party
By Bassey Nkponam
ITU
As part of its broader economic strategy and significant move to enhancing economic development and empowering local communities in the State, the Akwa Ibom government has disbursed over N300 million in grants to 677 beneficiaries in Itu and Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency through various farm, trade and business grants, during the Itu and Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency Town Square Meetings and Empowerment series. 
Of this number, 108 farmers in Itu and 115 farmers from Ibiono Ibom got the Farmers Grant which ranged from N500,000 to N1 million each; 184 people in Itu and 125 in Ibiono Ibom were beneficiaries of the ARISE Traders Grant; 135 people from the two local government areas were rewarded under the ARISE Equipment Support Scheme with equipment ranging from hairdressing machines, welding tools, sewing machines, generating plants and other forms of equipment; four beneficiaries from the two local government areas got N5 million, each, under the ARISE MSMEs Grant, while four buses and two cars were given to six people in the two local government areas. 
In his remarks at the ceremony which took place at Itu Local Government Council Secretariat in Mbak Itam, the State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, said the financial grants were crafted to empower local entrepreneurs, enhance their enterprise capacities, and ultimately elevate the overall well-being of the people. 
Eno emphasised that the initiative is accessible to all eligible residents of Akwa Ibom who are formally registered with the ARISE empowerment platform, reaffirming that the scheme is designed to be impartial and does not serve the interests of any particular political faction.
   He pointed out that the methodology employed in the selection of beneficiaries was founded solely upon meritocratic principles, deliberately disregarding any allegiance to political factions, thereby explaining the presence of individuals affiliated with various other political parties among the recipients.
Eno urged those entrusted with the implementation of the scheme to uphold the highest ethical standards, while also emphasising the critical importance of fairness and integrity in the equitable distribution of the resources which, he stressed, were meant for the people of Itu and Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency.
“We have disbursed from my record, N306 million to 677 beneficiaries for various grants, farmers grants, business grants, MSMEs equipment, buses, cars and mini buses. At this moment, our actions go beyond mere monetary allocation; they represent a strategic investment in the potential and prosperity of our citizens. 
“The ARISE Portal remains accessible to every resident of Akwa Ibom, independent of their political leanings. We do not scrutinise or require political party membership prior to your eligibility. Simply complete the registration process, and subsequently, we shall undertake a verification of your contributions.
“Out of a moral obligation, I have advised that those of us overseeing this initiative refrain from encouraging our wards to participate, even if they meet the qualifications”, Eno said and enjoined the beneficiaries to make good use of the grants, as they will not benefit from the gesture twice. 
Eno, who acknowledged the warm reception by the people of the Federal Constituency, and their support before, during and after the elections, assured that the requests in the Needs document will be critically assessed and attended to. 
The secretary to the State government, Prince Enobong Uwah, who set the tone for the event, said the Town Square meeting was a fulfilment of Governor Eno’s promise of rendering account to the people and assisting small and medium scale businesses to thrive. 
The member representing Itu and Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Obong Ime Okon, Esq, appreciated Governor Eno for initiating life touching projects in the constituency, and sued for more projects for his people.
Okon identified the ripple effect of poor roads and other ecological issues in the constituency occasioned by the natural terrain of the environment, and appealed for critical attention to those issues already captured in the Needs document.
He particularly appreciated the governor for leading a government that promotes political participation, peace and unity which has engendered progress and development in the State, describing the Town Square Meeting as symbolic mark of good leadership which has granted him the opportunity to listen and feel the pulse of Akwa Ibom people.
Presenting the Needs document of the constituency, the deputy speaker and member representing Itu State Constituency in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr Kufreabasi Edidem, thanked the governor for his programmes and projects and expressed the hope that the new projects, if executed in the next fiscal year will further improve the quality of life of his people. 
The chairman of Itu Local Government council, Mr Ubong Nkutt, who spoke on behalf of his Ibiono Ibom counterpart, Mr Asuakak Umoh, thanked the governor for his remarkable works in the two local government areas, and pledged their unshifting support to the governor. 
Goodwill messages were also presented by the commissioner for housing, Dr. Henry Archibong, that of Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport, Comrade Ini Ememobong; former secretary to the State government, Obonganwan Grace Ekong; paramount ruler of Ibiono Ibom, Akuku Ime Udousoro Inyang, as well as the APC chieftain in the constituency, Senator Ita Enang, during which they extolled the leadership quality of Eno in the State, and called for emulation by other leaders, even as they pledged the total support of the constituency to the governor and his leadership policies beyond his first term.
   The constituency later adopted Governor Eno as their sole candidate for the 2027 governorship election, following a motion by the member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency in the House of Assembly, Mr Moses Essien and seconded by a one-time representative of Itu State Constituency in the House of Assembly, Mr. Idongesit Ituen.