By Christiana Ekpa
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, PhD, LL.D, CFR has announced plans to stimulate economic development in Abia State through a N1 billion support package for 2,000 Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (SMEs).
Speaking during a town hall meeting of the Renewed Hope Partners (RHP) in Bende, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State on Monday where he distributed trailer loads of rice, other food items and cash of N100 million to over 100 churches, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and various support groups, Kalu stated that the initiative is part of the Renewed Hope Partners programme to empower residents across the 17 Local Government Areas of the State.
It will be recalled that a few months ago, the Deputy Speaker through the Renewed Hope Partners also donated N500,000,000 to support Abia residents in their businesses.
Kalu at the town hall meeting announced that the programme will partner with financial institutions such as the Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and Nigeria Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) to match the N1 billion fund.
The Deputy Speaker emphasized that Abia State is an enterprising state with an impressive population of traders and business people, stressing that the initiative is aimed to stimulate economic development.
He directed the Director-General of Ben Kalu Movement (BKM), Pastor Emma Trumps Eke to ensure that the 2,000 businesses in the State are identified and structured for the empowerment.
He said: “A few months ago, about six months ago, we gave about N500 million to the programme. We have been distributing from time to time. Today again, to support the party and the structures, we are giving N100 million.
“Can I have the DG of the Benjamin Kalu Movement? You and your team should help 2,000 businesses in Abia State, small-scale businesses. We want you to raise 2,000 businesses between now and February. Sometime in February, we are going to gather again for empowerment. Today is not for empowerment. Today is to share food and eat rice together. We will do empowerment in the first quarter of this coming year. And between now and that time, we will do empowerment, we want you to collect 2,000 names of small and medium-scale enterprises.
“We are going to support them with N1 billion for 2,000 businesses that will cut across the entire Abia State, all the local government areas in Abia State.
“You should collect the form from the Renewed Hope Office in Ojike Lane, Umuahia. Go there and pick up the form.
Make sure you return it before February. We are only giving 30 days to do this. And all those businesses, each of them will get about N500,000 to start with. And from there, we will invite the Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture, SMEDAN, Credicorp and all the rest of them.
“They will partner with us to match our fund. If my office is bringing N1billion, I am sure that these other agencies will support. So, don’t get tired of submitting the forms. We might, at the end of the day by February have more than N1 billion to give to you because Abia is an enterprising state. We are traders, we are business people, we want to stimulate economic development.”
Highlighting his legislative imprints, Kalu who represents Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State said that he has sponsored 127 bills in the last two years and also delivered over 50 people-oriented constituency projects across the 13 electoral wards in Bende.
“In two years, I have sponsored 127 bills before the National Assembly. They span governance, inclusion, infrastructure, security, economic reform and so on.
“Some, like the SEDC Act, have moved from proposal to institution; other reform-driven bills continue to shape national debate and policy direction, reflecting a legislative agenda that responds to real needs, not abstract ideas.
“Guided by town halls and citizens’ requests, over 50 constituency projects are executed or ongoing across Bende.
“ Schools and ICT centres have been delivered, health centres, access roads and link roads, as well as Agricultural processing centres such as an ultra-modern rice mill. Electricity restoration, water projects, boreholes, distilled waterways, and skills facilities are also ongoing.
“Collectively, these projects are spread across the wards and communities of Bende, including Item, Uzuakoli, Igbere, Ozuitem, Alayi, Ugwueke, Itumbuzor, and Lohum Imenyi, ensuring balanced delivery that responds to local needs and everyday realities.
“Beyond infrastructure, over 150 constituents have received employment facilitation, scholarships, and overseas training.
“About 1,600 individuals accessed the Benjamin Kalu Grants, and nationally, 37 entrepreneurs, one from each state and the FCT, were empowered. Additional support includes livelihoods, youth and women initiatives, and skills training”, he said.
The Deputy Speaker also appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for his invaluable assistance and leadership.
He specifically applauded the President for his economic and financial re-engineering, fuel subsidy and fiscal restructuring, tax reforms and the improvement on power and electricity, education, international relations, security and state police, social protection, agriculture and food security, business, MSMEs, and jobs.
Kalu however called for patience and more support for the President, assuring that the government will not fail the people.
“Representation is continuous, rooted in people’s needs, and our commitment is to keep building until Bende and Nigeria thrive.
“We must give honour where it is due. In the last two and a half years, our nation has navigated turbulent global economic waters. That we are standing strong today is a testament to the steady hand of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“ I want to use this platform to thank Mr. President for his role as the Unifier-in-Chief. He has not only stabilized our great party, the APC, but has also engendered a harmonious relationship between the Executive and the Legislature that is unprecedented in our democratic history.
