Local Government Chairman Empowers Small Businesses Amid Inflation Struggles
By Bon Peters
PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: In a bid to alleviate the economic strain caused by inflation, Mr. Erastus Awortu, Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area in Rivers State, has disbursed N5 million to 20 small business operators. The disbursement, amounting to N250,000 per beneficiary, aimed to bolster their enterprises and mitigate the effects of inflation.
The distribution took place in Ngo, the council’s headquarters, during a meeting with youth leaders and security agencies. Awortu emphasized that the beneficiaries, drawn from various sectors across the 11 wards of the council, encompassed entrepreneurs and smallholder business groups.
“This support marks the fourth phase of our ongoing empowerment scheme,” Awortu stated, underlining the scheme’s significant impact on small businesses and its outreach to vulnerable demographics such as persons with disabilities, widows, and other marginalized groups within the community.
“As a council, poverty reduction remains a paramount objective, especially through empowering our youth and women,” Awortu affirmed, underscoring the crucial role small enterprises play in local economic resilience.
Moreover, Awortu pledged to sustain dialogues with oil companies to foster youth employment, aiming to address issues such as piracy and other social vices linked to poverty and unemployment.
In response to the chairman’s initiative, beneficiaries like Miss Evelyn Albert, a fashion designer, and Miss Loveday Ugwem-Oreibot, an event planner and confectioner, expressed gratitude and assured the effective utilization of the funds. Albert plans to invest in her business, while Ugwem-Oreibot intends to purchase equipment such as an oven to enhance her operations.
As Awortu’s tenure approaches its conclusion, he reiterated his commitment to community development, emphasizing the enduring impact of his administration’s efforts.
