The Transition Committee Chairman of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Hon. Nsikakabasi Ukobot says his target is to empower 1000 youths of the area, engaged in small-scale businesses to grow their economy and pay taxes to the council in return.
He disclosed that so far, his committee has reached out to over 300 entrepreneurs selected in equal proportion across the 13 wards of the LGA with over a million.
Hon. Ukobot who disclosed this during a Media pally, to mark his first 100 days in office, recounted other achievements of his committee including providing N3.5 million for female farmers to improve their yield and make food items available.
“I partner with farmers in the local government area by giving them money, seedlings, pesticides, etc to cushion the effect of hardship and reduce hunger in the land.
“We also engage in training of farmers and other entrepreneurs to gain mastery in their fields of endeavors.
“A typical example is a young man that I met producing paint, I made him teach other young men the art of producing paint and as I speak, all of them are good at the job. It is better than just giving someone money to eat”. Ukobot explained.
Ukobot who is the immediate past Vice Chairman of Ibiono Ibom LGA, says he met the entire council Secretariat in darkness but has been able to restore electricity to all the offices, which has made the working environment conducive.
He said within the first 100 days as Transition Committee Chairman, he has fixed the security village to ensure that all principal offers of the council, live within the local government in accordance with the directive of the state government.
The council head mentioned that he has taken up purchase of Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms as well as organize classes to ensure that youths of the area willing to further their academics would gain admission into the university of their choice.
Considering that JAMB is computer-based, Hon. Ukobot says plans are concluded to organize training on computer technology, to boost the confidence of the candidates in the use of computers.
He however applauded the achievements of the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno within the last 10 months with the ARISE agenda, pledging his total support to ensure that more are achieved as the administration grows.