Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State has empowered 50 female farmers, with N6 million, to cushion the impact of the removal of oil subsidies by the Federal Government, Erastus Awortu, Chairman Andoni, has announced.
Awortu made the disbursement of N120,000 each to two categories of 50 beneficiaries – Seafood and Cassava farmers – on Wednesday at Ngo, the council’s headquarters.
He said that his administration would continue to prioritise women’s empowerment, especially considering the level of hardship posed by fuel subsidy removal.
According to him, the essence of governance ot to provide basic welfare and security for people.
“Having enthroned peace in Andoni, our target in next phase of our administration is to enhance the local government economy.
“We believe that women empowerment is critical to poverty eradication.
“That is why the council has consciously selected 50 seafood and cassava fermers for the programme.
“These women supported me two years ago during my first election and in the just concluded general elections.
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“They voted to deliver all our candidates at the poll,” he said.
The chairman also pledged to continue providing other empowerment programmes to touch the lives of widows and youths.
Mr Okere Bright, Director of Agriculture of the council, commended the chairman for the gesture.
Bright described the empowerment programme as coming at the right time.
He said the package would help farmers across to invest more and to tackle the challenge of low farm inputs.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Mary Emanuel, Chairman of Seafoods Farmers Association, thanked the council for the gesture.
Emanuel promised, on behalf of others to use the money judiciously.
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