Isoko South Flags Off Mega Empowerment, 4,000 Residents To Get N50,000 Each

Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Area, Hon. Friday Ovoke Warri, on Monday flagged off the Councillors’ Mega Ward Empowerment Programme to support small businesses and improve livelihoods across the 20 wards of the council.

The programme, which commenced at Oleh Civic Centre and Irri, will benefit about 200 residents in each ward, with each beneficiary receiving N50,000 cash grant.

Speaking during the flag-off, Warri said the initiative is designed to provide direct financial assistance to residents and stimulate grassroots economic activities.

He urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the grants, adding that those who manage the funds responsibly stand a better chance of accessing higher amounts in future programmes.

Reflecting on his experience as a former councillor, Warri said elected representatives previously lacked resources to execute projects.

“I left the council as a councillor in 2017, but received my last salary in 2018. It was that terrible. We could not execute projects, not because we did not want to, but because resources were not available. Even my first salary was only 20 per cent paid,” he said.

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He expressed satisfaction that councillors can now mobilise resources to empower constituents, noting that increased allocations to subnational governments after fuel subsidy removal have created more opportunities for grassroots interventions.

Also speaking, Chief of Staff to Delta State Government, Hon. Johnson Erijo, described the initiative as unprecedented in the history of Isoko South, attributing it to policies of the APC-led Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu and support of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

“This is the first of its kind in Isoko South, where councillors have come together to empower this number of people with N50,000 each,” Erijo said.

Leader of the Legislative Arm, Friday Abizire Olokor, alongside councillors Efemena Efeturi and Onoriode Obeuwou, commended the initiative and pledged sustained engagement with constituents.

Olokor said the council had also extended support to elderly citizens, widows and persons with disabilities, with development projects executed in several communities.

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