In the last three weeks over 800 Constituents of Bende Federal Constituency have been awarded grants from federal government attracted by the Representative, Benjamin Okezie Kalu.
While about 600 constituents received a cash grant after the training and empowerment program organised for youths and women of the constituency by NICO, another set of 200 constituents selected across the federal constituency gathered to receive another cash grant as authorised by the Ministery of Humanitarian Affairs to assist rural dwellers ameliorate the impact of hardship in their various endeavours.
This took place in Bende town on the 16th of September 2022 where the visitors from the Ministry in Abuja and Abia captured and paid 200 Bende constituents in this batch .
Speaking on behalf of the team Mr. Charles Uko the Director Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the team leader expressed satisfaction with the level of the organisation by the constituency office of the Honorable Member representing Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State.
Adding that as a constituent from the same federal constituency he was impressed that the real vulnerable people this program was designed for were the ones that got it unlike their experiences in some other places . In his words,
“There were no fictitious names, every beneficiary was properly identified in person and the full amount was handed over and all follow up calls after the program revealed that these moneys went to the right hands that needs them . We will report this back to the minister as it is one of the best commendable transparency we have seen in the course of this job.
You may recall that on the 10th of September, 2022 this conditional cash grant was inaugurated in Abia State by the Honourable Minister for vulnerable members of our communities and already this representative insisted and fought for Bende federal constituency to be one of the first to be paid and we have fulfilled that. “
The Representative who is currently on a vacation with his family while speaking to a correspondent on the success of the project, he said;
“I have a great team at the constituency office and my National Assembly office Abuja, who understands our agenda and with less supervision knows what to do when the need arises. They pick the beneficiaries based on our previous needs analysis and so far so good. I have confidence in them that at all times they will show fairness to all and be transparent.
I wish to thank the President and the Vice President for this noble program while appreciating the Honourable Minister who has severally went the extra mile to consider the issue of my Bende people uniquely. Truly my APC government has been so good to My Bende people even as we expect more interventions. “
To the beneficiaries he had this to say;
“As you all know that you came from all political parties not only APC, it shows our kind of leadership that we are not only representing APC but the entire Bende people. Again once you win election one’s administration should be about the people not just the party, although at all times the reward structure must accomodate more of those who worked, I enjoin you to join hands to sustain good governance in Bende federal constituency. This show of love from the federal Government, which others used to put in their private pockets, I have allowed to get into your pocket, kindly use it well to add value to your family in what ever little manner as we expect more soon “.
