The Chairman of Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State, Edodi Eyong, has empowered more than 100 indigenes with business equipment aimed at helping them start and expand their businesses.
The beneficiaries, drawn from the 11 wards of the council area, received items including deep freezers, generators, sewing machines, clippers and hair dryers under the council’s business empowerment programme.
Eyong said the initiative was targeted at youths, women and vulnerable residents to reduce unemployment, promote self-reliance and create opportunities for wealth generation.
He urged the beneficiaries to use the equipment for their intended purposes, adding that monitoring teams would be established to ensure the items were properly utilised.
The Cross River State Government, represented at the event by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Ijom Ukam, commended the initiative and described it as consistent with Governor Bassey Otu’s “People First” agenda.
The Paramount Ruler of Biase, Onun Nicholas Odum, also urged the beneficiaries not to sell the equipment, saying the programme could contribute to economic growth at the grassroots.
