By Dennis Udoma, Uyo
No fewer than 300 market women in Akwa Ibom yesterday, benefited from free cash donations, courtesy of Ini Ememobong Foundation and Partners’.
The cash-gifts, was doled out to the beneficiaries as a post COVID-19 Economic Reconstruction efforts of the Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration in the state.
The Foundation and its partners; Hon. Akan Tommey and Dr Ikpe Ibanga donated the replacement capital to petty traders drawn from different markets in the three Senatorial Districts of Akwa Ibom State.
The gesture is also in honour of the Akwa Ibom First Lady, Dr Martha Emmanuel, kicked off with Akpan Andem and Itam markets in Uyo, while Urua Tour in Ikot Ekpene and Urua Anwa in Oruk Anam LGA, as well as markets in Oron and Eket also get their turns respectively.
Criteria for distribution of the replacement capital were based on felt needs, carried out by the market unions, and screened by the NGO.
Chairman of Ini Ememobong Foundation and Publicity Secretary, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom, Comrade Ini Ememobong said, the donation was borne out of the Foundation’s desire to help petty traders, get their businesses back on track again after the lockdown.
COVID-19: Ini-Ememobong Foundation and Partners splash cash donations to traders in A’ Ibom
“We understand the strategic position that traders occupy in the overall economic chain, and the collective wellbeing of any society.
” In the light of the current global health crisis, that may have forced depletion in their business capital, our foundation believes that to help them maintain that strategic position and function optimally, there was need to support them.
“That is why with the support of our public-spirited partners, we are helping the traders reinvigorate their businesses through the donation of a replacement capital”, Comrade Ememobong said.
Also, Special Assistant to Governor on Trade and Market Matters, Mr. Idorenyin Raphael described the gesture by Ini Ememobong Foundation and Partners, as thoughtful and timely saying, the donation of capital would help petty traders stay in business after the lockdown, occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic.
Chairmen of Market Associations in Akpan Andem and Itam Markets, Mr Nseabasi Ndoh and Mr Godwin Ebong, as well as Board of Trustees Chairman, Obong Christopher Usoro described the donation to the traders, as a lifeline to the traders that would go a long way to improving their economic wellbeing.
A beneficiary and water leaf seller at Akpan Andem Market, Mrs Udeme Ibiom literally broke into tears on receipt of the donation.
She said, the Ini Ememobong Foundation’s donation came at a time their hope had perished, and prayed God to help him do more, as the lockdown had dealt them a negative blow.
