The Transition Chairman, Hon Ochor C. Ochor Interacting with one of the Beneficiaries.
The Ukwuani Local Government Council in Delta State after three months of intensive training had graduated 623 beneficiaries of the SURE-P programme. The programme which commenced on the 2nd of August, 2013 saw the engagement of selected youths from the ten wards of the Local Government Council.
The Chairman, Transition Committee, Hon. Ochor C. Ochor in his speech said he was glad on the programme implementation. He said the technical committee had being able to see that the training at the end will be beneficial to the recipients. According the Chairman, the beneficiaries will not only be supported with starter Parks, but also a cash support of between N25,000 to N30,000. He therefore enjoyed the graduates to make good use of the items to empower their family, and in two years’ time evidence of success to show by training at least five to ten persons.
Speaking further, the Chairman commended the People’s Democratic Party, PDP for empowering the youths of Ukwuani Local Government despite the attitudes of the people who always during election time, cast their votes for the oppositions.
The beneficiaries, who were trained in different fields where as follows, in Poultry 39, Fishery 50, ICT 28, Woodwork 21, Barbing 22, Hairdressing 43, fashion 28, Interlocking and Tiling 22.
Some of the Starter Parks for the Beneficiaries
Commissioner for Local Government Demands for more funding
The Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Bar New-world Safugha, who represented the State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, said the Local Government under the care of Hon Ochor has been able to show the good use of the SURE-P programme. He described the scene as that of a trade fair, and commented on the fact that the Council is one of the best so far in the implementation of the poverty alleviation programme of the Federal Government.
He therefore asked the federal government to increase the funding of the programme so that more people will benefit.
Speaking Further, the Commissioner told the beneficiaries not to sell off the starter parks as doing so will be criminal and asked that the Local Government Implementations Committee of the Council should continue to monitor them and if anyone is found wanting by selling off the items such persons should be arrested for criminal offence.
Beneficiaries Protest.
The Poultry and Fishery beneficiaries had complained of the starter Parks giving to them. The two groups said the implementation Committee did not carry them and their trainers along before procuring the equipment’s. The beneficiaries of the poultry programme complained of the cage provided by the council, the feeds which was for growers and not day old chicks, everything provided was faulty according to the trainees, which was confirmed by one of the trainers to Ndokwa Reporters.
Meanwhile, the Transition Chairman, Hon Ochor C. Ochor had asked for the suspension of given out starter Parks to the Fishery beneficiaries till further notice. In an SMS message to Ndokwa Reporters, the Chairman promised to investigate about the complains of the protesters and other salient issues that had risen from the programme.
Chief Chris Ochonogor Awards one year contract to a beneficiary
The founder and Chancellor of Novena University, Amai, in Ukwuani LGA, Chief Chris Ochonogor who was the Chairman of the occasion thanked the Council for their effort in keeping to the promise to deliver. He enjoyed all beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity to improve on their living standard.
Continuing, Chief Ochonogor in appreciating the programme pronounced the award of a one year contract to a female beneficiary who was trained in interlocking and tilling. He asked that the councilor representing Amai, Hon Gilbert C. Ejede monitor that she be giving the contract for the next one year for the interlocking and tilling of projects to be executed in Novena University, Amai.
The occasion which was witnessed by scores of media men, also were Chief Joseph Oyewonsa, Chief B.A Alonu, Sir Kenny Okologbo, the DESOPADEC Commissioner representing Ukwuani/Ndokwa, the Anglican Bishop of Ndokwa Diocese, Chief Anigala ( Delta North PDP Chairman), Ukwuani Women in Politics, Ukwuani Market Women.
