By ltam Offor
The Chairman, Cross River State House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon Okon Nyong Owuna has applauded the State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu for his commitment to providing employment and empowerment for citizens.
Owuna, who was speaking when he led other Members of the Committee to the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment for the ongoing Mid -Year Budget Performance Review, praised the Governor creating the Ministry with the mandate to create employment and empowerment opportunities for Cross Riverians.
Other Members of the Committee present at the oversight visit, all expressed joy at the efforts of the State Governor towards wealth creation for the citizens.
Earlier, while briefing the Committee, the Commissioner of the Ministry, Mr Patrick Egbede disclosed several employment and empowerment programmes coordinated by the Ministry including; the training of 100 citizens on ICT, 200 former militants on Innovative and Integrative Agricultural chain at CSS Farms in Nasarawa State adding that the Governor has already approved money for their empowerment.
The Commissioner further informed that, 200 beneficiaries were recently empowered with POS Machines, 2 chairs each, umbrellas and tables.
According to the Commissioner, over 1000 Cross Riverians have been profiled for recruitment into the Nigerian Army Regular Intake while 10 indigenous MSMEs have also been profiled and their NAFDAC registration paid by the State government.
Egbede further informed the Committee that his Ministry was engaging with Petroleum Tank Farm owners operating in the State with the prospects of scaling up their investments in the State.
The Commissioner, who reiterated the State Governor’s commitment to Wealth Creation and Employment for Cross Riverians announced that the portal for recruitment into some Federal Agencies including, Federal Fire Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp is currently open and encouraged job seekers to apply accordingly .
Members present at the oversight visit were Hon Mercy Akpama (Yakurr), Hon Bassey Bassey Effiong (Akpabuyo), Hon Charles Omang Omang (Bekwara), Hon Samuel Neji Abang (Ikom I), and Hon Martins Achado (Yala 2).
Also present were Hon Eyo Bassey Edet (Bakassi), Barr Catherine Ubi the Clerk of the House and Secretary of the Committee, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Odu as well as Management Staff of the Ministry.
