By Ogar Monday; House of Assembly Correspondent
Cross River lawmaker, Honorable Christian Achor (PDP Etung) on Saturday in Effraya doled out items worth about NGN20 million to members of his constituency in an ’empowerment’ wave that has hit the state’s political terrain.
The items include 100 units of manual cocoa spraying machines, 3 units of motorised spraying machines capable of covering about 10 hectares of cocoa plantation on one hour, 1 unit of a compacted complete cassava processing plant and 1 full set of musical recording equipment and playing set.
The others include popular donated items such as about thirty units of sewing machines and 10 motorcycles to mobilise ward chairmen of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
And, Cross River Deputy Governor, Professor Ivara Esu said he was impressed as he has not seen that much given to people in the name of empowerment by any politician.
He commended the choice of items purchased by the lawmaker and encouraged members of the constituency to make good use of the items to better their economic status.
He maintained that such efforts if replicated across the state will “reduce” the people’s “dependence on the government” and aid the growth of democracy.
Earlier, the former military governor of Kwara state and Chairman of the occasion, Colonel Peter ‘PAM’ Ogar rtd. said Mr. Achor’s gesture was a challenge to other persons in government whether appointed or elected, in the delivery of democratic economic benefits.
On his part, Mr. Achor who is hoping to break the jinx and return for a second term in office according to sources in his camp said the empowerment is to thank the people of Etung for their unwavering support in the last years.
He added that the beneficiaries were not chosen on political party basis as “some well known members of the opposition party,” participated.
But, the lawmaker denied allegations that the empowerment was premised on the next elections and expressed believe when he averred that, “if God wants me to come back, no one will be able to stop me.”
The beneficiary of the musical set, Mr. Michael Owan Attah, a musician with a career spanning over twenty years lauded the lawmaker and prayed God’s blessings for him.
An aide to the lawmaker, Mr. Damian Ekuri told CrossRiverWatch that the lawmaker had cocoa farmers in mind, since it was a major source of income for the people.
He said the compacted cassava processing plant was donated to a ward where cassava was predominantly grown while the motorcycles were strictly political and meant to aid the mobility of ward chairmen to mobilise members.
Several bigwigs of the PDP were in attendance including the speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Honorable John Lebo (PDP Abi), his deputy, Honorable Joseph Bassey (PDP Calabar South II), Honorable Hillary Bisong (PDP Boki II), the commissioner for youths and sports development, Mr. Asu Okang among others.