State Executive Council Approves 150 Mini-Buses for Empowerment Scheme – Cross River
The Cross River State Executive Council has sanctioned the direct acquisition of 150 mini-buses (specifically Daihatsu Hijet) as part of a new grassroots empowerment scheme targeting vulnerable and economically marginalized groups across the state’s three senatorial districts.
Under the distribution plan, each senatorial zone — Northern, Central, and Southern — will receive 50 units. The Council views the initiative not merely as a procurement exercise, but as a strategic intervention aimed at “restoring dignity, hope, and economic independence at the grassroots.”
The buses are intended to serve as productive assets, enabling beneficiaries to launch or expand small-scale commercial ventures such as rural transport services.
According to the Council, the intervention is expected to generate employment, enhance mobility, and stimulate local commerce, particularly in underserved and rural areas.
Officials cited the choice of the Daihatsu Hijet for its durability, fuel efficiency, and suitability for both urban and rural terrains.
The procurement is to be completed within the 2025 fiscal year, underscoring the administration’s resolve for swift delivery and immediate impact.
State leadership, under Bassey Edet Otu, frames the mini-bus initiative as part of a broader “People-First” agenda that places emphasis on tangible empowerment rather than abstract development metrics.
Government officials also hinted that the programme could evolve into a structured asset-finance model, enabling beneficiaries to transition from grant-based support to sustainable ownership.
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