BAKASSI – The Leader of the 7th Bakassi Legislative Assembly, Rt. Hon. Grace Bassey, has distributed cash, cooking gas cylinders, farming tools and food items to constituents across the 10 wards of Bakassi Local Government Area as part of a livelihood support initiative NEGROIDHAVEN can report.
The programme, held at the All Progressives Congress Secretariat in Ikot Nkoho Nnie, was attended by constituents, party members and community leaders who commended the councillor for what they described as an uncommon intervention at the grassroots.
Bassey, who represents Ward 7 in the council, said the initiative was designed to support the livelihoods of her constituents and party members, stressing that it should not be mistaken for a conventional empowerment programme.
“What I have brought today is not empowerment; it is livelihood support, and it should not be mistaken for empowerment,” she said.
According to her, although the items and financial assistance might appear modest, they were provided with the intention of supporting beneficiaries and promoting their welfare.
“It may be little, but I urge everyone to receive it with peace and love. It may not get to everyone today, but I believe better days are ahead,” Bassey added.
The council leader said the intervention was part of her efforts to remain connected with the people and support constituents beyond her legislative responsibilities.
She also highlighted some of the laws enacted by the 7th Bakassi Legislative Assembly, including legislation on gender-based violence and scholarships.
Bassey said the Gender-Based Violence Prohibition Law was intended to protect both men and women from physical and verbal abuse, stressing that perpetrators should be held accountable irrespective of their gender.
She explained that the scholarship-related legislation was aimed at helping children gain access to education, while noting that the responsibility of legislators was to make laws and that implementation rested with the council chairman.
Speaking at the event, the Cross River State APC Youth Leader, Hon. Maurice Ase, commended Bassey for the initiative, describing it as an uncommon intervention in the wards of Bakassi.
Ase said political leaders should be judged by their impact on the people rather than their location, adding that grassroots service should not be limited to election periods.
He urged residents who had not registered to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards, saying voter participation was important to the political future of the community.
Also speaking, the Special Assistant on Public Orientation to Governor Bassey Otu, Antan Okor, commended the council leader for extending her support beyond Ward 7.
Okor said Bassey’s gesture demonstrated her commitment to the welfare of residents and expressed optimism that more government interventions would reach the area.
He also urged residents to remain committed to the All Progressives Congress, saying the administration of Governor Bassey Otu was implementing programmes aimed at improving human development and empowerment.
Another speaker at the event, who also commended the initiative, urged beneficiaries to receive the gesture with gratitude and maintain peace and unity within the community.
The beneficiaries were drawn from the 10 wards of Bakassi Local Government Area, while the organisers said the support would not necessarily reach everyone at once.
The event which was also used to strengthen grassroots engagement between community members, political leaders and constituents in the council area witnessed profound appreciation from beneficiaries who confessed that this was the first time a councillor was embarking on such a gesture.
