Fishermen and residents of riverine communities in Cross River State are in joyous mood. This follows the kind gesture of Governor Bassey Otu to distribute 100 fishing/commercial boats to them to facilitate the movement of their goods to the market. The development is the beginning of the implementation of the livelihood component of the COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nsa Gill, quoted Mr. Otu as imploring the beneficiaries of the fishing/ commercial boats to make judicious use of the items received so as to justify the interest and sacrifice made by the government to place the people first, before other considerations.
Governor Otu, while presenting the items to beneficiaries Thursday at the Calabar Municipality headquarters, said, “It is now time for the State Government to support those whose occupation is to harvest the marine resources because of their nearness to water. It is time to reduce the labour of our fishermen’s hand-paddling canoes to go fishing and artisans to ferry people across rivers. It is time to put smiles on the faces of those who care for our nutritional needs. It is the fishermen’s time!
“Today is therefore a day our people in the riverine areas cannot forget quickly. The boats distributed today will enhance your productivity, improve your livelihood, ease the movement of your farm products and people across bodies of water.”
The Governor, who was represented by his deputy, Rt Hon Peter Odey, stated that the 100 units of fishing/commercial boats distributed are a bold step by the present administration to touch lives positively in fulfillment of its election campaign promise. The event also witnessed the commencement of distribution of over Two Billion Naira (N2, 000, 000) grants to the poor and vulnerable people in the state.
He said, “These grants are therefore more than just financial aid; rather a form of humanitarian investment – empowering our fellow Cross Riverians who are most disadvantaged, with the resources they need to lift themselves economically; invariably making meaningful contributions to the society.
“This is an all-inclusive growth strategy employed by my administration to remove barriers to economic emancipation of all the citizens of this state irrespective of the circumstances they may find themselves in.”
