PDP, Rt Hon Aniekan Uko Dole Out Over N 25m For Empowerment

…women receive N2.5m for stockfish biz
…party leaders, elders, youths rewarded

By Ofonime Honesty

On Monday, December 26, 2016, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faithful and the generality of Ibesikpo Asutan people converged at the Nung Udoe residence of Uyo Federal Constituency’s political leader, Prince Uwem Ita Etuk, as the member representing the constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko, in collaboration with the leadership of the party in the area, celebrated the yuletide by churning out empowerment packages and Christmas hampers to the constituents.

The event which is a yearly affair was headlined by the presence of chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as well as PDP bigwigs, who declared that in spite of minor skirmishes, the party is very much a united entity in Ibesikpo Asutan.

Declaring the event open, the Chairman of the PDP in the area, Elder Okon Edet Offiong, lauded the people for keeping faith in the party and promised more dividends of PDP in the years ahead.
In his speech, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko, thanked the people for reposing confidence in him as their representative.

Declaring that the empowerment programme is in fulfillment of his electoral promises, he urged the people to make judicious use of the empowerment packages.

Uko, who is the Chairman of the Rules, Business, Ethics and Privileges Committee of the state parliament, implored the people to bring decorum to the game of politics.

He lauded Governor Udom Emmanuel for being a pillar of support for Ibesikpo Asutan and equally poured encomiums on the political leader of Uyo Federal Constituency, Prince Uwem Ita Etuk, for being a messianic figure in the politics of the area.

The legislator assisted by his wife Evangelist Ememobong Aniekan Uko and Prince Uwem Ita Etuk thereafter handed over cash packages to beneficiaries drawn from respective wards in the constituency.

The beneficiaries ranged from women who received a sum totalling N 2.5 million Naira for commencement of stockfish business, party leaders at various wards, elders and youths. The women also received stock-fish heads.

Monies handed out totaled roughly N25.5 million.

Earlier in his speech, Prince Uwem Ita Etuk, noted that the empowerment scheme being held at a time when the country is in recession proves that Aniekan Uko is a representative who cares for his people, urging them to always vouch for credible representatives.

While promising to ensure that Ibesikpo Asutan and Uyo Federal Constituency are always properly represented politically, he warned the people against electing persons who care less about their welfare and only “come to their supporters on December to December basis.”

The newly appointed Commissioner, Ministry of Finance, Mr. Linus Nkan, expressed elation for witnessing what he described as a ‘celebration of unity and love in Ibesikpo Asutan’ and used the occasion to dispel rumours that political stakeholders in the area are at loggerheads.

He promised to make Ibesikpo Asutan proud of his achievements as Finance Commissioner.

In their separate speeches, former Assembly member, Hon. Eyakeno Etukudo; Transition Committee Chairman, Barr. Ukana Udofia; party elder, Hon. T. O. Akpan and others expressed confidence in the PDP and urged Aniekan Uko to continue reporting progress.

As the event was winding down, an apparent attempt by hoodlums to cart away money earmarked for disbursement at ward level was resisted by security operatives.

The event ended joyously with display by women groups and cultural dance troupes.