The human capital development agenda of the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State on Monday received further boost as 127 persons from Warri South Constituency One, benefitted from the first phase of the empowerment scheme which gulped 12 million naira from Hon Augustine Uroye, representing the constituency in the State House of Assembly.
Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Right Honourable Sheriff Oborevwori, chaired the empowerment programme which took place at the Government House, Annex in Warri, with the political bigwigs from Warri South Local Government Area in attendance.
Political gladiators that graced the empowerment programme include the political leader of the council area and the current Chairman, Warri, Uvwie and Environs Development Agency, WUEDA, Dr Joseph Otumara, Deputy Chairman, Delta State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Ada Val Arenyika Esq, member representing Warri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Chief Thomas Ereyitomi, Political Adviser to Delta State Governor, Mr Omimi Esquire, Chairman, Warri South Local Government, Dr Michael Tidi and Chief Israel Abido, a party stalwart from the Urhobo ethnic extraction in the council area.
Others were the Commissioner for Technical Education, Mrs Gbubemi Ikolo, her counterpart in charge of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Flora Alatan and four colleagues of Hon Uroye in the State House of Assembly, Hon Solomon Ighrakpata, who stood in for the Speaker, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, Honourables Ferguson Onwo, Emomotimi Guwor and Ekpotuayerin Pullah.
From Obodo/Omadino, Ode-Itsekiri/Orugbo, Ekurede-Urhobo/Ogunu, Ekurede-Itsekiri/Ugbuwangue, GRA and Bowon that make up the six wards of Warri South Constituency One, the 127 beneficiaries converged at the Government House Annex in Warri for the phase one of the Hon Augustine Uroye Empowerment Scheme.
The first phase of the empowerment scheme which was largely driven by the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, saw the first set of forty women receiving one hundred thousand naira each to start or add to improve their trades or businesses.
The second set of women numbering sixty from the six wards in the constituency got fifty thousand naira each to also ply a trade or add to make good sales for the festive season.
The third set is fifteen persons with disabilities including political associates and leaders from other groups from across Warri South Council Area, who received fifty thousand naira each.
The biggest beneficiaries were twelve youths with two each from the six wards, selected to undergo training in structural welding and other skills that are relevant to the oil and gas sector.
They were full of joy as they collected their coverall to the admiration of all present.
The twelve youths also promised to be committed to the training and commended Honourable Augustine Uroye for giving them the opportunity to engage in the meaningful venture.
The benefitting women were also full of gratitude, as the financial empowerment will go a long way to boost their businesses.
Addressing the gathering, the member representing Warri South Constituency One, Hon Augustine Uroye, said his empowerment scheme is geared towards complementing the huge investments of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in the area of human capital and entrepreneurship development in Delta State.
“The governor is doing so well. The governor said, as people who work and are part of governance, if I am doing something, in your own little way add to it, complement it so that it will get to everybody,” said Uroye.
Hon Uroye explained that the first phase of the empowerment scheme was to acknowledge the leadership that drives the party and the local government area adding the second phase which will be strictly handled by him will target the downtrodden across the constituency.
The lawmaker, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Health of the Delta State House of Assembly, promised to do more for his constituents, but solicited for their sustained support.
Hon Solomon Ighrakpata, who is the Majority Whip of the House, praised Hon Uroye for the love he has for his people and his commitment to always put their interest first in all he does in the House.
Dr Joseph Otumora, Mr Ada Val Arenyika Esq, Mr Omimi Esquire, Dr Michael Tidi, Chief Isreal Abido and other political bigwigs described the empowerment scheme as unprecedented in the constituency.
They lauded Hon Augustine Uroye for the empowerment, despite the economic downturn and advised the beneficiaries to make good use of the financial support.
Hon Augustine Uroye is a first-time lawmaker to the Delta State House of Assembly.
