Gov Eno Urges Women To Form Cooperatives For Business Grants

Governor Umo Eno has disclosed that his administration would only empower women for business grants through formation of cooperatives across the 329 wards across the State and encouraged to group themselves together to be able to access the facility.

He, therefore, enjoined the womenfolk to participate in the upcoming ward cooperative initiative, a programme designed by his administration to enhance their economic well-being and expand empowerment opportunities.

Speaking at the April edition of the Government House Covenant Service held at Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, the Governor disclosed that “the initiative is non-partisan and will be Ward -based with the aim of empowering women and boosting the economy of rural areas.”

“This registration will not be done based on any interest group or political party but based on individual wards,” he stressed.

He cautioned that the scheme was not a campaign stunt, maintaining that “if, during the registration process, any official asked the women to present a party membership card, the individual should be reported promptly for appropriate action.”

The Governor, therefore, urged all women to go to their Wards for the registration “because that is where they know you,” , reminding them that “this is a programme basically done to help stimulate the economy of our wards in the rural areas.”

“It is not a party thing, and if anybody asks you about party before you could be registered, please report the person. As long as you are from that ward, you are qualified to register,” he stressed.

Governor Eno also used the occasion to called on members of the host communities of Ibom Icon Hotel and Golf Resort at Uruan LGA – to steer clear from disrupting the smooth running of the facility.

“Before Government built the hotel there, it bought the land and the necessary compensation was fully paid to the people. So, no community has any right to direct the Government on how it should run its business on its facilities.

“The community cannot dictate how government runs the facility, but the project will certainly benefit the community through employment of qualified people from the community,” he added, declaring that the era of running the hotel without profit was over.

“Government had continued to fund the facility. It has not made profit to sustain itself. That has to stop, the hotel has to be self-sustaining as expected,” he maintained.