By Oluwamayowa Ajiboluwa

The Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, has flagged off the Councillors’ Mega Ward Empowerment Programme, an initiative aimed at supporting small businesses, improving livelihoods and promoting economic development across the 20 wards of the council.
The programme, which commenced at Oleh Civic Centre and in Irri and other wards, is expected to benefit 200 residents in each ward, with each beneficiary receiving a cash grant of N50,000.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremonies, the Chairman of Isoko South council, Warri Friday, said the initiative was designed to provide direct financial support to residents, strengthen small businesses and stimulate economic activities at the grassroots.
He urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the grants, noting that those who demonstrate responsible management of the funds would stand a better chance of accessing higher amounts in subsequent empowerment programmes.
Further, he said: “I left the council as a councillor in 2017, but received my last salary in 2018. It was that terrible during our time. In those days, we could not execute projects, not because we did not want to, but because the resources were not available. Even my first salary as a councillor was only 20 percent paid.
“Today, our councillors are gathering people for an empowerment programme. It is a good development,” Warri stated.
He further explained that the initiative aligned with the development agenda of the Delta State Government under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, noting that increased federal allocations to subnational governments following the removal of the fuel subsidy had created opportunities for more grassroots development interventions.
Also speaking, the Chief of Staff to the Delta State Government, Prince Johnson Erijo, described the initiative as a significant milestone in the history of democratic governance in Isoko South.
Erijo said: “This empowerment programme initiated by the Isoko South council is the first of its kind in the history of the local government, where councillors have come together to empower this number of people with N50,000 each.”
He attributed the initiative to the policies and governance approach of the All Progressives Congress, APC-led Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu, with the support of Governor Oborevwori in Delta State.
The Leader of the Legislative Arm of the Isoko South council, Friday Olokor, alongside other councillors, Efemena Efeturi, Onoriode Obeuwou commended the initiative and pledged to sustain engagement with their constituents to identify pressing needs and areas requiring government attention.
Olokor described the programme as a significant step towards improving residents’ economic wellbeing, noting that direct financial assistance could help beneficiaries strengthen their businesses, expand their economic activities and establish more sustainable sources of income.
He further disclosed that the council had extended support to vulnerable groups, including elderly citizens, widows and persons with physical challenges, while development projects had also been executed in several communities across the local government area.
The councillors and council officials urged beneficiaries to invest the grants and any equipment provided wisely, stressing that responsible use of the support would help create sustainable livelihoods and ensure that the programme achieved its intended objectives.