While disbursing the cash in Fagge LGA, the lawmaker, popularly known as MB Shehu, explained that the gesture is to support the beneficiaries with grants as startup capital to invest in their already existing businesses.
According to him, he shared the cash with them in appreciation of their support and commitment towards his success, alongside that of NNPP in general during the 2023 general elections.
“Among the beneficiaries, 16 would receive N200,000 each, while another group of seven would get N100,000 each and 20 others would receive N50,000 each.”
Furthermore, he explained that the empowerment programme, launched on Friday within two wards in Fagge A and Yanmata Gabas, would be held monthly.
The lawmaker disclosed that the money was shared from his monthly salary, which according to him, would continue with two wards each month up to December this year.
“This is not a constituency project. It is a gesture. from my monthly salary, as a lawmaker to support those who worked and supported us towards our election success.
“They deserve more than this as this is the tip of the iceberg. These people were subjected to mockery by the opposition. Today, they are the ones laughing and smiling at the opposition.
“This is a take-off grant to youths and women, who worked for our success. I have distributed the cash to them to invest in their existing businesses. Those that don’t have any business should start up with the little grant we have given them,” he said.
Also, Shehu disclosed that he had earmarked numerous projects for his immediate Constituency, adding that there would be a grant and improved empowerment schemes for his constituents that would be a role model to other lawmakers in the next few months.
Earlier in a remark, an associate of the legislator, Mustapha Isa, said MB Shehu has his people in mind.
He assured the constituents that they would enjoy more people-oriented projects toward uplifting the standard of their socio-economic status.
Late last year, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission says it has completed all arrangements to commence its sixth phase of tracking some fraudulent constituency projects across the country.
The commission specifically disclosed that it would deploy its officers across all six geo-political zones of the country to track 1,932 projects valued at N500b.
The spokesperson for the commission, Azuka Ogugua explained that the objective of the exercise was to ensure improved service delivery to the people across nooks and crannies of the country.
She listed focal states for the exercise as Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Niger, Kwara, Plateau, Adamawa, Borno, Bauchi.
Other focal states, according to Ogugua include Taraba, Gombe, Yobe, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Lagos, Ondo States and the Federal Capital Territory.
