By Princely Onyenwe,Imo
There are speculations over the recent Empowerment Programme dolled out by one of the frontline Politician in Imo state, Prince Dr Alex Mbata, targeted at empowering 3,000 persons, especially the vulnerable in the 104 INEC wards in Owerri zone.
Our correspodent in Owerri gathered that majority of the participant beneficiaries are yet to recieve bank alerts from PAM Humanitarian Foundation Empowerment Programme as promised.
The delay over the disbursement of the expected petty grant has caused alot of misfeelings and suspicions all over Owerri Zone and the state at large which is a singular prove to state that the Empowerment was hijacked by leaders of various local government areas as alleged.
But the initiator of the Programme, Dr Alex Mbata insisted that the grant must get to the beneficiaries while expressing total solidarity To GOVERNOR Hope Uzodinma’s Administration.
A recent phone chat with the media Adviser to Dr Alex Mbata, Innocent Onyeukwu has refuted the rumour as unfounded, saying that the Empowerment recorded a huge success in anticipation of the final stage of disbursement of grant to the remaining wards in Owerri zone.He futher stated that at the moment, payment of grants to beneficiaries in four local governments has been concluded.
While stating that 95 percent of beneficiaries from Aboh Mbaise have received their grants, Onyeukwu maintained that Ahiazu Mbaise have recieved: 85 percent, Ezinihitte Mbaise,85 percent and Ikeduru LGA 60 percent successful Empowerment.
However, he told 9News Nigeria that the process of paying beneficiaries in two local governments, Mbaitoli and Ngor Okpala, has also begun.Beneficiaries in Owerri North, Owerri Municipal and Owerri West, will receive their grant during the last phase of payments targeted towards the end of February 2022.
The director general DG of PAM, Former Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Godfrey Dikeocha, said the empowerment programme was targeted at empowering 3,000 persons, especially the vulnerable stating that the foundation is hopeful that all beneficiaries of the empowerment programme will receive their grant before the end of February 2022.
Recall that Dr Mbata is the CEO of ABM Global Services and a Frontliner in the Uzodinma’s administration who posited that 3R Government has performed creditably, despite the insecurity challenges which plague the State and other States in the South East.
Mbata further stated that Owerri Zone and Imolites at large have to support the administration of Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma, in his bid to make the State a better place.
It may interest our readers to note that on the 16th day of December, 2021 was the day of the launch of the empowerment programme, held at the Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu Square (Formerly Heroes Square) Owerri where notable stakeholders were in attendance which Included former Imo State governor, Ikedi Ohakim, elder statesman and Ahaejiagamba Ndi Igbo, Chief (Engr) Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, top functionaries of Imo State government and other well meaning sons and daughters of Imo State.
As the bank has continued to sort beneficiaries bank accounts as stated, It will tarnish the Image of Dr Alex Mbata if the expected grant dolled out did not get to the beneficiaries.
The best thing to do is to follow up with its disbursement of funds to avoid sudden diversion by embittered Politicians.
9News Nigeria (Owerri) For inquiries on this news contact 9News Nigeria Imo State @08036856526
