DELTA SET TO EMPOWER 10,000 WIDOWS- OKONTA
The Executive Assistant to the Delta state governor on Social Investment Programme ,Dr.Isioma Okonta says the state government is set to empower 10,000 widows across the 25 local government areas of the state.
Dr.Okonta who disclosed this in a press interview in his office at Asaba said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori would soon flag off the programme.
He said the widows’ scheme was widespread and carefully structured as the beneficiaries were drawn from all wards across the three senatorial districts of the state .
According to Okonta ,who is also the state focal person on federal government’s loans and grants,the Oborevwori administration viewed the widows as important stakeholders worthy of support.
“ His Excellency, Rt.Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori means well for Deltans including vulnerable widows in the state. In no distant time, the programme would be unveiled with joyful results.
“10,000 widows in Delta will receive N15,000,monthly. An impressive gesture from the governor. He believes it is important that the widows are cared for as most of them have children in need. His Excellency also approved the provision of free health care benefits for the widows that would be enrolled in the program.
“The selection is all embracing as it goes down to the grassroots. The programme is not political,it cuts across political boundaries. However,widows who are civil servants,recieving salaries are not eligible.
“ The reception has been robust just like the similar widows’ welfare scheme of the previous administration”
On hitch- free data collection and implementation,Dr.Okonta assured that his office with full complements of staff are working diligently to meet expected goals .
He noted that “collaboration involved traditional rulers, president general of different communities, local government coordinators,community liaison officers as well as the clergy” in mutual partnership.
Dr.Okonta expressed gratitude to Governor Oborevwori for approving the widows’s empowerment programmme and in said it has elicited much joy among a vast majority of the people.
