OWA- ALERO/Nigeria: Five hundred residents of Ika North-East Constituency in Delta State received cash grants, vocational equipment and other empowerment items on Saturday as the member representing the constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Marilyn Okowa-Daramola, presented an account of her activities over the past three years.
The event, held at Owa-Alero, brought together political leaders, traditional rulers, community representatives and residents from across the constituency, with beneficiaries drawn from all wards. Former Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, and his wife, Dame Edith Okowa, were among dignitaries in attendance, alongside Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowowo, member representing Ika Federal Constituency, Hon. Victor Nwokolo, APC Deputy State Chairman, Elder Moses Iduh, and other political stakeholders.
Addressing the gathering, Okowa-Daramola said her stewardship over the last three years had been guided by consultations with constituents and a commitment to addressing their immediate social and economic needs through legislation, infrastructure and empowerment initiatives.
She acknowledged the support of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, saying the administration’s development agenda had provided an enabling environment for lawmakers to execute constituency-based projects and interventions.
According to the lawmaker, engagements with traditional rulers, community leaders, traders, farmers, artisans, women, youths, senior citizens and persons with disabilities helped shape the programmes implemented across the constituency.
She explained that the empowerment exercise formed part of efforts to fulfil campaign commitments by equipping residents with resources to improve their livelihoods and expand their businesses.
Giving an overview of her performance, Okowa-Daramola said she sponsored several bills and motions while facilitating the construction of classroom blocks, distribution of educational materials and school furniture, installation of solar-powered streetlights, construction of market stalls, road projects, procurement of a fire truck for emergency response, business support grants and vocational training for constituents.
She maintained that the projects were designed to improve access to education, strengthen public infrastructure and expand economic opportunities within the constituency.
The empowerment programme saw beneficiaries, including students, farmers, artisans, entrepreneurs, senior citizens and persons with disabilities, receive bursaries, cash grants, motorcycles, refrigerators, sewing machines, hair dryers, grinding machines, washing machines, generators, farming inputs, wheelchairs and other vocational tools.
She urged recipients to make productive use of the items to establish sustainable sources of income rather than dispose of them.
Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, described the programme as a demonstration of the lawmaker’s continued engagement with her constituents, adding that effective representation should be measured by consistent interaction with the people and interventions that respond to their needs.
Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, said Okowa-Daramola had remained focused on constituency development through legislative work and community projects, urging beneficiaries to maximise the opportunities provided by the empowerment programme.
Also speaking, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ika North-East Local Government Area, Comrade Emeke Asiwe, said beneficiaries were selected through a verification process involving artisans, students, transport unions, religious organisations and persons with disabilities to ensure broad participation.
Several beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the support, saying the assistance would help strengthen their businesses, improve household incomes and enhance their standard of living.
The programme was held under the theme, “Our People First: Promise Made, Promise Kept.” It also featured the presentation of the lawmaker’s three-year stewardship report to constituents.
