By Our Correspondent

MEMBER representing Ughelli North constituency II at the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Rufus Akpodiete has empowered 10 persons in the constituency with cars under the Rufus Edoja Akpodiete People’s Welfare Scheme (REAPWELS).

Presenting the cars of various brands which included Volkswagen Vento, Golf, BMW, Mazda and Nissan Primera to the beneficiaries, Akpodiete noted that the gesture was in furtherance of his empowerment programme for his constituents which he said began in 2011.

Those who benefited from the car gift were, Olorogun Moses Arubi, Mrs. Patience Onwulu, Mrs. Paulina Efeakpokrire, Mrs. Mary Oba, Sir Jude Emavwodia, Ovoke Ovwemu, Mr. Martins Ariemere, Mr. Paris Ukpemeku, Monica Uvwo and Mr. Emmanuel Amuno.

He disclosed that REAPWELS had presented 12 cars of assorted brands to some of the constituents in 2013, listing other achievements of the scheme to include the fencing of the Ughelli main market, water projects at Otor-Ihwreko, Post Office Road, Emaro community, donation of books and school bags to pupils in various schools across the constituency, cassava processing mill at Emaro community.

The legislator further disclosed that 60 indigent women had so far been given the sum of N200, 000 each under his Women Trade Programme reiterating that “the men empowerment is equally very high. He added that he had also embarked on various constituency projects across the six wards that made up the Ughelli Constituency II.

While advising those who were yet to benefit from the scheme to be patient, Akpodiete maintained that “I in politics because I believe it is an avenue to provide service for the people.” he advised the beneficiaries to make judicious use of their cars to improve on their socio-economic lives.”

Speaking during the ceremony, Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Chief Shadrach Imonieroh expressed delight at Akpodiete’s initiative in embarking in the empowerment programme.

He described the legislator as a grass-root politician who has the interest of the people at heart, saying “I am extremely happy because he has been delivering democratic dividends to his constituents under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party.”