Beneficiaries of the Hon. Rep. Benjamin Okezie Kalu Foundation Family Support Grant for Rural Dwellers of Bende Federal constituency have expressed appreciation for the kind gesture received from the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Benjamin Kalu.
The family support grant for rural dwellers kiked off on Friday at Akanu Item where the first batch of beneficiaries.
According to the executive members of the Benjamin kalu Foundation, the grant became necessary due to the economic hardship in the country and to serve as petty business starter or to boost existing petty trade.
About 1,200 indigent people of the community scheduled for the visit at the communities of Bende federal constituency benefited on the Day-1 of the family support grant for rural dwellers, powered by Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu.
Bende Local Government Area of Abia State is composed of thirteen communities, namely: Alayi, Bende, Ezukwu, Igbere, Item, Itumbuzo, Nkpa, Ntalakwu, Ozuitem, Ugwueke, Umu-imenyi, Umuhu-Ezechi, and Uzuakoli.
Narrating the schedule of the grant distribution, Hon Emma Trumps Eke Director General, Benjamin Kalu Foundation, said the kind gesture by the Deputy Speaker is scheduled to run on a monthly basis and phases.
In his words: “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.
Questioned further about the selection process, Mr. 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.
Also in a supportive move, Mr. Eke revealed that some legislative aides from Bende Federal 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 family support grant for rural dwellers. For people living in the rural areas, you can start petty trading and the multiplier effect,.if properly harnessed, it will put food on their table.
“There are legislative aides who said out of what they are earning, they are also giving back this, that gives you about a hundred and forty added to that. We’re looking at about 1,200 persons to receive this grant today. Mr. Eke said.
The state woman leader of Benjamin kalu foundation, Lady Philomena Ikwuegu while speaking to newsmen said the kind gesture means a lot to the beneficiaries especially when given in these hard times.
“One of them almost collapsed over there, we held him, he was so excited because he has not received such in these hard times” Lady Philomena said.
Speaking with newsmen about the benevolence of the Deputy Speaker, a beneficiary of the grant, Chief Ihendu John Ogba, the prime minister of Awuja Item Autonomous community expressed satisfaction on the kind gesture of Deputy Speaker.
In his words; “I want to thank him, let him continue, by the grace of God, the next time, he is going to be the senator of this senatorial zone. One good turn deserves another”. Chief Ihendu said.
Mrs Comfort Chukwu another beneficiary of the grant thanked the deputy speaker for the kind gesture and planned to use her share to invest in her farm land for increased cultivation.
Mrs Mba Ijeoma Precious, a petty trader from Apanu Item who also benefited from the grant expressed joy after receiving her share and said it will boost her petty trade. Mrs. Ijeoma said.
“I’m very excited to receive this amount of money, as a petty trader, I will use this money to support my business. This money is even given without minding your political affiliation. May God bless Hon Benjamin kalu and give him the strength to do more.”
