Altercations between youths and the people of the three senatorial districts of Cross River State have heightened following the alleged diversion of empowerment items provided by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
The items include tricycles, mini buses and cash grants of N125 million.
It was alleged that only youths from the southern senatorial district, where chairman of the NDDC committee, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, hails from, benefited from the empowerment program.
The NDDC and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency, SMEDAN, jointly distributed N125 million cash grants to 500 beneficiaries, 200 tricycles and 150 mini buses during the weekend at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar.
While the empowerment exercise has brought unprecedented joy and happiness to increasing numbers of youths and families, it has also led to anger and bickering.
One beneficiary from the southern district, Ita Bassey in his letter of appreciation on social media said the tricycle will salvage his family from the clutches of starvation and penury.
But the chairman of Nigerian Youths Council, NYC, in Cross River State, Comrade Francis Finian Offionor, in a letter accused Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong of diverting the items to favour only the people of his district.
He attached an official letter from NDDC specifically directing that the items be distributed to the the three districts.
He described the diversion as “seriously disappointing, disgusting and disheartening”, claiming the senator downplayed the collective sensibilities of other districts.
“It’s disappointing to see the youths of Central and Northern Senatorial District of Cross River State being let down.
“You are a youth in your prime, but you decided to be tribalistic in your leadership and approach.
“I speak not for myself, but for the youths you neglected, downplayed on their integrity and dignity, as indigenes of Cross River State, where you serve as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC).”
He stated that the alleged failure and negligence won’t be forgotten.
“We expected leadership that uplifts the next generation, but this fell short, you chose nepotism over fairness and accountability.”
They also accused another official, Mr. Orok Duke, who is a commissioner in the NDDC representing Cross River State, of equally neglecting the Central and northern districts while favouring the South, where he hails from.
Reacting, while distributing the empowerment items, Senator Ekpenyong said the collaboration with the two federal agencies was meant to empower youths of the southern Senatorial District, disclosing that such gestures will touch other parts of the state soon.
He said the exercise was aimed at boosting transportation businesses and reducing unemployment amongst the youths.
He warned beneficiaries of the empowerment programme against selling the vehicles, urging them instead to use the items to build sustainable livelihoods.
According to him, the intervention formed part of efforts to complement the efforts of the state government .
“We are here to train our young men and women on skills acquisition, give grants to support businesses and also empower our people with capital items ranging from minibuses to Keke Napep.
“All these were made possible through support from agencies at the federal level. I plead with beneficiaries not to sell these items. Do not kill the goose that lays the golden egg.”
Ekpenyong noted that beneficiaries who properly manage the vehicles would be able to generate steady income for themselves and their families over a long period.
The lawmaker described the programme as the beginning of more empowerment initiatives targeted at improving economic opportunities for residents of the Niger Delta region.