Coronavirus Pandemic
INI Ememobong Foundation and its partners have given out N10,000 each to 300 petty traders in a bid to support the post-COVID-19 Economic Reconstruction efforts of the Gov. Udom Emmanuel’s administration.
Mr Ini Ememobong, the Chairman of the Foundation, while donating cash to the beneficiaries on Wednesday in Uyo, said the donation of `replacement capital’ was borne out of the need to help petty traders in the state.
According to him, the petty traders may have depleted their seed capitals during the lockdown in order to have means of getting their businesses back on track.
He noted that the donation was in partnership with Mr Akan Tommy and Dr Ikpe Ibanga replacement capital to petty traders in Akwa Ibom markets.
“The Ini Ememobong Foundation and partners – Hon. Akan Tommey and Dr Ikpe Ibanga have donated replacement capital to 300 petty traders in Akwa Ibom across different markets in the three Senatorial Districts,” Ememobong said.
Ememobong, who spoke on behalf of the partners said the donation of the replacement capital, was done in honour of the Akwa Ibom First Lady, Mrs Martha Emmanuel.
He noted that the replacement capital started on Wednesday with Akpan Andem and Itam markets in Uyo, Urua Tour in Ikot Ekpene and Urua Anwa in Oruk Anam and would get to markets in Oron Federal Constituency and Eket.
Ememobong said the beneficiaries of the replacement capital were selected carefully by the market unions and screened by the Foundation using the benchmark of felt needs of the traders.
“We understand the strategic place that traders occupy in the overall economic architecture and the collective wellbeing of any society.
“Our foundation believes that to help them maintain that strategic position and function optimally, there is need to constantly 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 this replacement capital,” Ememobong said.
Also speaking, Mr Idorenyin Raphael, the Special Assistant to the governor on Trade and Market, described the gesture by the foundation and partners as thoughtful and timely.
He said the donation of the replacement capital would help the petty traders stay in business after the lockdown occasioned by the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Chairmen of the Market Association in Akpan Andem, Mr Nseabasi Ndoh, and Itam Market, Mr Godwin Ebong, said the donation was a lifeline to the traders and that it would go a long way in boosting the economic strength of the traders.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Udeme Ibom, expressed appreciation to God Almighty and thanked the foundation and partners for the gesture. (NAN)
– May 6, 2020 @ 13:15 GMT |
Tags: Lockdown: Foundation partners disburse N.3m to petty traders in A’Ibom
