The Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Council, Delta State, Hon. (Comr.) Friday Ovoke Warri on Monday flagged off the Councillors’ Mega Ward Empowerment Programme, an initiative designed to support small businesses, improve livelihoods and promote economic development across the 20 wards of the local government area.
The programme, which commenced at the Oleh Civic Centre and in Irri, with activities extending to other wards, is expected to benefit about 200 residents in each ward, with every beneficiary receiving a cash grant of ₦50,000.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremonies, Warri said the initiative was designed to provide direct financial assistance to residents, strengthen small businesses and stimulate economic activities at the grassroots.
The council chairman urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the grants, stressing that those who demonstrate responsible management of the funds would stand a better chance of accessing higher amounts in subsequent empowerment programmes.
Reflecting on his experience as a former councillor, the chairman recalled the financial challenges elected representatives faced during his tenure, explaining that inadequate resources made it difficult for councillors to execute projects and implement meaningful interventions for their constituents.
“I left the council as a councillor in 2017, but received my last salary in 2018. It was that terrible during our time. In those days, we could not execute projects, not because we did not want to, but because the resources were not available. Even my first salary as a councillor was only 20 per cent paid,” he said.
Warri expressed satisfaction with the improvement in the council’s financial capacity, noting that councillors could now mobilise resources to initiate empowerment programmes for their constituents, adding that “Today, our councillors are gathering people for an empowerment programme. It is a good development,” he stated.
The council chairman further explained that the initiative aligned with the development agenda of the Delta State Government under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, noting that increased federal allocations to subnational governments following the removal of the fuel subsidy had created opportunities for more grassroots development interventions.
Also speaking, the Chief of Staff to the Delta State Government, Hon. (Prince) Johnson Erijo, described the initiative as a significant milestone in the history of democratic governance in Isoko South.
Erijo said the programme was unprecedented in its scale, particularly in the number of residents being reached and the financial assistance being provided to individual beneficiaries.
“This empowerment programme initiated by the Isoko South Local Government Council is the first of its kind in the history of the local government, where councillors have come together to empower this number of people with ₦50,000 each,” he said.
He attributed the initiative to the policies and governance approach of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with the support of Governor Oborevwori in Delta State.
The Leader of the Legislative Arm of the Isoko South Local Government Council, Friday Abizire Olokor, alongside fellow councillors, Efemena Efeturi and Onoriode Obeuwou, commended the initiative and pledged to sustain engagement with their constituents to identify pressing needs and areas requiring government attention.
Olokor described the programme as a significant step towards improving residents’ economic well-being, noting that direct financial assistance could help beneficiaries strengthen their businesses, expand their economic activities and establish more sustainable sources of income.
He further disclosed that the council had extended support to vulnerable groups, including elderly citizens, widows and persons with physical challenges. He added that development projects had also been executed in several communities across the local government area.
The councillors and council officials urged beneficiaries to invest the grants and any equipment provided wisely, emphasising that responsible use of the support would help create sustainable livelihoods and ensure that the programme achieved its intended objectives.
The Councillors’ Mega Ward Empowerment Programme underscores the Isoko South Local Government Council’s commitment to grassroots empowerment, inclusive development and improving the economic conditions of residents across its 20 wards.
