The United Nations (UN) representative in the Swiss-INDO Empowerment and capacity building project of monthly salary for life grant in the South South, Mrs Eni Eloho, has expressed worry over the carefree attitude of the region towards empowerment programmes.
Eloho, who was registering  and capturing people for the project during the enlightenment programme in Port Harcourt(PH), told The Tide that the South South region did not take advantage of Empowerment opportunities like the north that grab every opening with two hands.
The UN representative attributed the attitude of the people to their past experiences, selfish nature of some leaders who she said, most times corner what should be given to the masses and ignorance.
Eloho, who is also the coordinator of Amazing Care Foundation South South Region reiterated the need for the people to take advantage of the poverty alleviation programme which according to her would improve people’s lives and businesses when the UN would commence the payment of the monthly salary of $1,200 to registered adults.
She advised the participants to make good use of the salary when it comes, adding that the best way to move out of poverty is to invest.
In his contribution, the coordinator of the partnering organisation, Matrixx Cooperative PH, Nigeria, Dr. Larry Goodwill Ajiola said the turnout was encouraging though not as expected.
Dr Ajiola said people saw it as a good opportunity especially as the year is just beginning, saying, “ there is enough opportunity for Nigerians in the UN project that is expected to alleviate and empower over 200 million people in the country”.
He noted that the programme is empowered by Switzerland and Indonesia governments who have donated money for the UN empowerment project.
One of the registered persons, Mrs Adegoroye Oluwaseun of Mide Catering Services, described the project as laudable as it would help entrepreneurs expand their businesses.
Oluwaseun said,” I see it as a good start in a new year, if it is a reality. The process went well and is also transparent but we pray that the project would work”.
She noted that the monthly salary when it comes would empower small and medium entrepreneurs in PH and South South.
The coordinator of Eket Matrixx Cooperative, Mrs Emiliar Emeka told The Tide that the programme is aimed at helping Nigerians to get out of poverty.
“This is not a network programme. It is real and I believe it would alleviate poverty. I call on women to try and cue into the programme and better their lots,” she said, adding that government has not been given loans in this side of the region like they do in the north.
In a related development, Apostle Dede Chike said though I had done several programmes like this in the past that are yet to materialize,” he had registred.
He commended the cooperative for what he called good collaboration, saying that the materialisation of the project would speak volumes about the firm.