The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu has presented empowerment items to 350 beneficiaries from his Aniocha/ Oshimili Federal Constitution of Delta State to make them self-reliant.
These comprised 107 tricycles, 148 motorcycles, 111 electricity generating sets and 90 deep freezers.
Making the presentation in Asaba, the Delta State capital on Saturday, Elumelu
urged the beneficiaries to be passionate in putting the items into proper use to climb to an enviable level of prosperity.
He said the idea was to make the 350 people selected from the various wards in the Constituency, comprising of women, youths and men, small business owners who will eventually help in creating jobs and reducing poverty in their immediate communities.
The lawmaker commended the Governors of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, for his sustained efforts in reducing poverty through his administration’s various empowerment programmes.
Highlighting some of his accomplishments, Elumelu said: “I have remained resolute and passionate in the implementation of the social contract I entered with my people. To this end, I have employed over 150 Personal Assistants (PAs) on youth and women matters. Apart from the over 15 bills and more than 25 motions I sponsored and co-sponsored in the 9th legislative Assembly of the House of Representatives, I have been able to also influence projects that have directly impacted on the wellbeing of our constituents.
“Your Excellency, distinguished guests, we have been able to facilitate and provide 820 stands of solar street lights which were distributed across communities in the Four Local Government Areas within Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency.
Let me also state that provisions have been made in 2021 budget to rehabilitate the police stations across my Federal Constituency and the CP has been duly notified.
“We also facilitated the rehabilitation of the government hospital at Onicha- Olona; facilitated the employment of over 40 persons in different federal ministries, agencies and parastatals and recommended over 200 candidates for employment.
“It is also pertinent to report that within a period of less than two years, we were able to facilitate a CBN Special loan for 150 persons in the first batch, 196 persons in the second batch making a total of 346 persons”.
While flagging-off the distribution, Governor Okowa hailed Elumelu for his various interventions in the progress of his Constituency, Delta State and Nigeria at large and urged other elected representatives to borrow a leaf from the Minority Leader.
“Looking at the so many things that are to be presented to the people, I believe can encourage our people in the Constituency to work harder for our party, the People’s Democratic Party and can engender hope amongst our people and I believe that it is good for politics and advancement of politics not only in Aniocha/Oshimili but across Delta State”.
In his remarks, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila represented by the Deputy Minority Leader, Toby Okechukwu said empowering constituents was a good move towards eradicating poverty amongst the people and commended Elumelu for doing that for his Constituents.
“Once Ndudi Elumelu came back to the House of Representatives, it was manifestly clear that the difference would emerge. Not only did he bring his constituency to the leadership of the House, he started making the difference in all the responsibilities assigned to him, whether in leading the minority in the House or providing for his people. And this is just two years counting. These efforts are only in complement to what the Governor is doing”, he said.
