Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa
Aimed at boosting the local economy of Bayelsa State, Governor Douye Diri, has empowered 2,310 persons across the 105 Wards of the state.
The programme tagged ‘Women and Youths Empowerment’ programme’ is aimed at encouraging small and medium scale entrepreneurs in the state.
Each beneficiary was to take home N200,000 to boost their businesses or to start new businesses.
In an interactive event with beneficiaries of the programme, on Tuesday afternoon, at the Chief DSP Alamieyeaigha memorial hall, in Yenagoa, governor Diri said despite the massive infrastructural development being embarked by his administration it would amount to nothing if the people are not empowered to use the roads.
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The programme has been in progress for eleven months now but Tuesday’s event was an interactive session with beneficiaries and to present cheques to beneficiaries of the new phase of the programme .
Governor Diri disclosed that the programme is an initiative of the prosperity administration and it was designed primarily for the small and medium scale entrepreneurs in the state.
“Those who are selling and living on this kind of business , they have given these testimonies and to encourage those who are willing to do that business but have no seed to start off the business.
“This programme was designed for that purpose that is why it is a monthly programme.
“And so we are not just talking prosperity we are working prosperity.
“We can build all the roads, we can build all the bridges, however, it is human beings that will use these roads , it is human beings that will buy cars to drive on the roads
“So if we don’t empower the people we are building all these roads in vain.
“And these are some of the things we considered that informed our decision that we need to have a running local economy , an economy such that at the end of the day we will have people who will start little but will grow to become millionaires , that will grow to become billionaires.”
He advised them not to look at the money as too small but “it is from this small things that big things will come.”
“The seed that is given to you if you are able to pray over that seed it will multiply
“What we are doing to you is to encourage you to plant seed,” he added.
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Earlier in her remarks, Mrs. Faith Opuene, the commissioner for women Affairs whose ministry is directly in charge of the program , said the programme was poised to boost the local economy of the state if only the beneficiaries can put it into use.”
She lauded the governor for his promise to empower youths and women in the state every month.
She explained that it was initially 210 persons across the state, with two persons each from the 105 Wards to boost the local economy.
But governor graciously increased the number to four persons per Ward, two youths and two women , which is 420 per month.
“Every ward is now four persons. Two youths and two women. It is now 420 persons per month”, said Opuene who thanked Governor Diri for the laudable gesture.
Accordong to the Commissioner, 2310 persons have benefited so far from the programme across the state .
She noted that the prosperity administration is not only building roads and bridges but “we have to build the people so that the local economy will be in our hands.
“So, many people have testified the importance.pf the programme. Before your tenure ends so. Many people will be empowered”,
Highlights at the event was testimonies of success stories from previous beneficiaries of the programme from each of the Local Government Areas of the state.
Cheques were also presented to new beneficiaries of the programme.
Present at the event was the Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewrudjakpo, Secretary to the State Government, Alabo Gideon Ekewe and other top government officials.
