By Solomon OKPO
Governor Umo Eno has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to boosting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and rural development with the disbursement of the N5.1 billion ARISE Grant to farmers, traders, and artisans in Akwa Ibom State.
The first phase of the empowerment initiative took place at the Abak Township Stadium during a maiden Town Hall Meeting, where 833 indigenes from Abak-Etim Ekpo-Ika Federal Constituency benefited from the grant.
A breakdown of the disbursement showed that 178 farmers received N111 million, 442 traders were supported with N176 million, and six MSME operators got a total of N30 million. Additionally, 198 craftsmen received equipment support worth hundreds of millions, while six beneficiaries were given minibuses and three received cars.
Governor Eno emphasized the importance of MSMEs in driving economic growth, vowing to extend support to small business owners in both urban and rural areas.
“We want to support small and medium-scale enterprises. These small businesses are the engine of the economy. They employ two or three people, provide food for their families, and contribute to economic stability. We must support them,” he stated.
He also reiterated his commitment to rural development, stressing that his goal was to take governance to remote communities and leave lasting legacies. He highlighted a rigorous selection process to ensure that only genuine farmers and traders benefited from the grant.
“No more will we sit in Uyo and write names of people we do not know. We have profiled all these beneficiaries, and their details are available on the state government website for verification,” he assured.
Governor Eno further explained that beneficiaries were selected transparently and that the scheme was a one-time opportunity per individual, allowing more people to benefit in the future.
“Once we support you, your name is captured on the portal, so you cannot get it again. It will be someone else’s turn. Use your grant wisely,” he advised.
The event also saw leaders from Abak, Etim Ekpo, and Ika Local Government Areas presenting a unified charter of needs to the governor. The Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Elder Udeme Otong, led stakeholders in passing a motion to support Governor Eno for a second term in office beyond 2027.
Several dignitaries, including APC chieftain and Provost of the Federal College of Health Sciences, Jos, Prof. Nkereuwem Etukudo; former PDP Legal Adviser, Emmanuel Enoidem, SAN; and former Attorney General, Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN, commended the governor for keeping his campaign promises and pledged continued support.
Some beneficiaries, including Inemesit Abraham and Semfon Dickson, expressed deep appreciation for the grant, describing it as a non-partisan initiative that has significantly empowered genuine business owners in the state.
“God is governing Akwa Ibom through Governor Umo Eno,” one of the beneficiaries remarked, acknowledging the impact of the initiative.
The governor’s town hall meetings and grant disbursements are expected to continue across other constituencies in the state.
