Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong Distributes Minibuses, Tricycles, Cash Grants to Cross River South Constituents

 

The Senator representing Cross River South Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission, Asuquo Ekpenyong, on Saturday, May 9, 2026, distributed minibuses, tricycles and cash grants of N100,000 to constituents as part of his empowerment programme held at the U.J. Esuene Stadium.

Speaking during the ceremony in Calabar, Senator Ekpenyong said the initiative was aimed at complementing the development efforts of President Bola Tinubu and Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, towards improving the economic well-being of Nigerians.

According to the lawmaker, the programme was designed to equip youths and women with practical skills, startup grants and income-generating assets to promote self-reliance and economic sustainability.

“What we are doing is to complement the efforts and wonderful works of His Excellency, Bola Tinubu, and our dear Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Otu. Today, we are here to train our young men and women in skills acquisition, give grants for start-ups, and empower our people with capital items ranging from minibuses to keke napep,” he stated.

Ekpenyong explained that the empowerment items were facilitated through federal agencies and cautioned beneficiaries against selling the vehicles and tricycles.

“Do not sell these capital items. Do not kill the goose that lays the golden egg. Maintain them and sustain your family for months and years to come. If you sell them off, you end up with a one-time gain,” he advised.

He further assured constituents that the empowerment programme would be sustained while urging continued support for the administration of President Tinubu.

Director of Commercial and Industrialisation at the Niger Delta Development Commission, Linda Okara, disclosed that 150 minibuses and 200 tricycles were distributed through a collaborative effort with Senator Ekpenyong.

She noted that beneficiaries were selected through grassroots stakeholders to ensure fairness and inclusiveness in the process.

“This is done by stakeholders so that it does not look like we are imposing people, but that these names are brought forward from the grassroots,” she said.

Also speaking, the NDDC State Director in Cross River State, Daniel Ajunwa, described the intervention as part of broader efforts to engage youths meaningfully, reduce unemployment and curb criminal activities.

“Today, Asuquo Ekpenyong has decided to fulfil his promise to his people. He brought all these vehicles and buses to give to the youths to make them self-reliant,” Ajunwa stated.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Arit Nyong expressed appreciation to the senator for fulfilling his campaign promises, describing the initiative as a pathway to economic independence.

“We are grateful to our leader, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, for this kind gesture. We will continue to pray for him. 

This will surely transform and better our lives and make us self-independent,” she said.