The Member representing Itu in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Idongesit Ituen has launched an empowerment scheme in his constituency aimed at turning road transport workers in the area to major stakeholders in the transport business in the state and country, Nigeria.
To achieve this, the lawmaker on Monday, inaugurated a cooperative society called, ‘Itu United Transporters’ Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society at Itam Central Motor Park with an initial opening balance of N5 Million donated by him for the take off of the scheme. Performing the inauguration, Hon. Ituen who is the Chairman, House Committee on Works and Transport, disclosed that the new phase of brand new buses which will be distributed to members of the cooperative society (both men and women) will arrive soon.
He explained that the essence of launching the cooperative society for the transport stakeholders at the Itam park was borne out of a desire to see drivers, conductors, and loaders at the park own fleet of brand new buses, saying this would make them major players in the transport sub sector.
“This is one of my cardinal programme, and I am going to take very serious. Any time I drive through this park, I am not always happy. I don’t like the way my people are suffering.
With the kind of park facility that is put here by government, I want to see how we can make our youths to be rich in the area of transportation. That is why I am partnering Nsik Motors to build capacity. Let’s lay good foundation today for the future’’.
He explained that the essence of the cooperative society which is registered with the Bureau of Cooperative Matters is to assist the transporters acquire brand new buses which will be owned by them. Presenting the certificate of registration to the leadership of the cooperative society, the lawmaker charged the executive to work assiduously as a team to ensure that the vision, aspiration and goals of the cooperative society which is aimed at empowering members are achieved.
Hon. Ituen who was accompanied by Wife, announced that he will employ the services of an Accountant to handle finances for proper record.
Commending the legislator for his empowerment package, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nsik Motors, Mr. Nsikan Johnny, urged members of the cooperative society to employ transparency and dedication in their dealings, explaining that the transport business is a lucrative venture. He assured of his preparedness to partner the Itu lawmaker in his avowed commitment to raise millionaires in the transport sector.
Mr. Johny who is also the MD of AKTC Ltd, took time to lecture the transporters on the need to always exhibit high level integrity in order for them succeed in the business.
Responding, the Chairman of the cooperative society, Mr. Idong Brown in his acceptance speech, thanked the Assembly man and members of the newly inaugurated Itu United Transporters Multi-Purpose Society for the confidence reposed in him, and promised to discharge his duties effectively for the overall good of members.
He urged those who are interested in joining the cooperative society to feel free to approach the secretariat at the park for necessary registration to enable them benefit from the capacity empowerment programme which is designed for members.
Others who spoke at the ceremony including, the Welfare Chairman, Itam Central Park, Isaiah Etim Udo, a Member of the Park Management Committee, Elder Paulinus Usanga, representative of National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Ezekiel Japhet , Mr. Timothy Udoh, and a woman leader, Angela Dominus, hailed Hon. Ituen for raising the bar in representation in the area.
They described the Itu lawmaker as an asset to the people of the area, arguing that the area had never had it so good in the area of representation in time past. Pledging their unflinching support to the Assembly member, the people who could not hide their excitement confessed that it was the first time in the history of the park to have a lawmaker visit them with such package which they noted will turn their lives around.
Among those inaugurated in the 13 member exco of the cooperative society include, Timothy Udo, Ezekiel Japhet, Alphonsus Iba, Johnson Johnson, Linus Daniel, Amadi Emah and Isaiah Etim among others.
