Cross River State Government Empowers 200 With PoS Business
By Uket Oka, Calabar
The Governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Otu, has empowered 200 indigenes of the state with Point of Sale (PoS) business terminals.
The distribution of the empowerment materials to the jubilant beneficiaries commenced for the Southern Senatorial District at the headquarters of the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment in Calabar, the State capital.
The complete package of the business included a PoS terminals, table, an umbrella and two plastic chairs as well as a start up fund for each of the 200 beneficiaries.
Launching the programme on behalf of the State Governor, the State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mr. Patrick Egbede, said that the Governor’s approval and subsequent release of funds for the project was in fulfilment of his electoral promise to wage a frontal war against poverty.
The Commissioner further stated that the display of generosity of the governor aimed at empowering the individuals as well as create an avenue for further employment as the business expanded.
Mr. Egbede explained that the pilot phase of the project would not be the terminal point, but would be expansive to accommodate more interested persons.
On the criteria for selection, the Commissioner stated that the list was gotten from the registered people by the Wealth Creation Desk Officers located in all the local government areas of the state who indicated interest in the PoS business.
According to him, “all the various categories of the registered people including artisans, widows and widowers, the physically-challenged and farmers will be addressed accordingly in the near future.”
Commissioner Egbede congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to be diligent in the business in order to accomplish the governor’s desire to create wealth and employment in all facets of human endeavor.
He also commended the partnering financial institution, Parallex Bank, for its commitment to the project and advised the beneficiaries to strictly adhere to the terms of agreement to activate the business immediately as the bank would monitor the progress and provide counseling and support always.
In his remark, the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on General Duties, Barrister Bassey Akiba, advised the beneficiaries not to frustrate government’s good intentions but to commence the business promptly and generate wealth for the wellbeing of their individual families and the society in general.
The Branch Manager, Parallex Bank, Calabar, Mr. Success Daico, assured of the bank’s readiness to effectively partner with the state government to ensure the accomplishment of the project.
He advised the beneficiaries to take advantage of the bank’s openness to garner free support and counseling for maximum utilisation of the empowerment drive.
Speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries, Mr. Effiom Akabom, expressed gratitude to the governor for the generosity and promised proper and effective use of the facilities provided.
The programme is scheduled to continue at the Central and Northern Senatorial Districts of the state on later dates.