By Aaron Ossai
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, and member representing Bende Federal Constituency, Hon. Benjamin Kalu has doled out grants to indigent and vulnerable Bende indigenes.
This is contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Press Affairs, Udora Orizu and made available to newsmen in Abuja.
The generous gesture of the Deputy Speaker, tagged “Family Support Grant for Rural Dwellers”, is a cash grant aimed at reducing the suffering of vulnerable groups across the 13 wards in the constituency.
The family support grant for rural dwellers kicked off on Friday at Akanu Item where no fewer than 1200 benefitted from the millions of naira made available for it.
Speaking to newsmen on the grant distribution, Mr. Emma Trumps Eke, Director General, Benjamin Kalu Foundation, said the generosity by the Deputy Speaker is scheduled to run on a monthly basis and phases.
“My principal said he’s going to run this over a period of time, so on a monthly basis, a different set of people selected by the traditional rulers, president generals of these communities, political leaders, other stakeholders and of course our structure, Hon Benjamin Kalu Movement will also have input.” Eke said
Speaking on the selection process, Eke said 80 people were chosen from every federal ward of the constituency and it was done in a way to boost the philanthropic effort of the Deputy Speaker.
He revealed that some legislative aides from the constituency contributed to Benjamin Kalu family support grant for rural dwellers in the little way they can from their monthly salary.
“In view of this current economic situation, the Deputy Speaker came out with this noble idea of a family support grant for rural dwellers. For people living in the rural areas, the grant can help you start petty trading and the multiplier effect, if properly harnessed, will put food on their table. There are legislative aides who said out of what they are earning, they are also giving back. We’re looking at about 1,200 persons to receive this grant today,” Eke added.