By Onwa Ekor, Calabar
In fulfillment of his electioneering campaign to tackle food security through enhanced method of agriculture, Cross River governor, Prince Bassey Otu, through NG-Cares program, recently distributed 100 commuter boats to fishermen and riverine communities in the state.
Also favoured in the largesse domiciled in the State Ministry of International Donor Coordination were poor and vulnerable groups who got a whooping N2 billion.
The governor at the event held at the open field of Calabar Municipal Council headquarters, said the initiative was aimed at reducing the labour of fishermen who hitherto depended on hand paddling canoe for fish catch, as well as to take care of nutritional needs of the citizenry.
Otu who was represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon Peter Odey, recalled that his administration had earlier flagged off the 50 hectares rice farming revolution at Ogoja local government area, the groundbreaking of 20 hectares of mechanized farming in Odukpani local government area and the procurement of 108 units of tractors for mechanized farming methods.
“It is now time for Cross River government to also support those whose occupation is to harvest the marine resources by reason of their nearness to water
.
“It is,the fishermen time today, a day for our people in the riverine area who we cannot forget in a hurry, so the boats would enhance their productivity, improve their livelihood, ease the movement of their farm products and the people across waters.
“This 100 units of fishing commuter boats distributed today is a bold step by my administration to perfectly touch lives, in fulfillment of the election campaign promises I made.
“We are also giving out N2 billion as grants to support poor and most vulnerable ones among us which will serve as a form of financial investment, empowering our fellow Cross Riverians who are most disadvantaged with the resources they need to live themselves economically while contributing meaningfully to the society,” the governor remarked.
Wife of the governor, Rev Eyoanwan Otu represented by wife of the member for Odukpani/Calabar Municipality federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Mrs Asi Akiba, charged the beneficiaries to use the opportunity to enhance their livelihood while contributing meaningfully to the society.
“The distribution of boats to fishermen and riverine communities is a substantial step towards enhancing the livelihood of our hardworking citizens and underscores our commitments for economic empowerment and sustainable development, enabling our fishermen to improve their catch while securing better futures for their families.
“Let us remain committed to empowering our people, promoting sustainable practices and building a brighter future for all,” the State First Lady advised.
For the Speaker, Cross River House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Elvert Ayambem, the present administration under Prince Bassey Otu, will leave no stone unturned in returning gratitude to the people who rallied round the governor during the electioneering period.
Ayambem who used the opportunity to canvass support for the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) at the federal and state levels, enjoined the beneficiaries to use the items judiciously, as the legislature acting as watchdogs, would monitor the activities of the items so distributed.
Earlier, Commissioner for International Donor Coordination, Hippolatus Lukpata, disclosed that from the inception of the present administration in the state, NG-Cares under the cash transfer unit domiciled in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, disbursed one billion, 328 million, 280 thousand naira to 17,138 beneficiaries across the 18 local government areas.
He also affirmed that through the Labour Intensive public work, six months stipends totaling One billion, 263 million, 888 thousand naira, were paid to 20,898 poor and vulnerable youths.
