Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — In a bid to promote economic activities and sustainable livelihoods in Ogoniland, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, has empowered 40 Ogoni market women with the sum of N4million in the first phase of its Nano-Business Support Initiative.
The empowerment marks a significant milestone in HYPREP’s efforts to address the impact of hydrocarbon pollution on the livelihoods of ordinary Ogoni people, as the fund aims to boost the growth of nano-businesses across Ogoniland, promoting economic growth, prosperity and peace.
Handing over the grants to the benefiting market women in Wiyaakara, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, emphasized the importance of supporting micro-businesses in Ogoniland, lauding the market women for their resilience and entrepreneurial spirit.
Zabbey urged the beneficiaries to utilize the funds wisely, grow their businesses, and continue to inspire others with their entrepreneurial spirit, and assured that HYPREP will continue to integrate all Ogonis regardless of their status and provide a platform to advance the alternative livelihood objectives for Ogoni communities.
“HYPREP’s intervention is not merely about providing financial assistance. We are seeking to foster an environment where local businesses can thrive, and innovation can flourish, enhancing the ability of beneficiaries to move up the income ladder while inspiring others along the same path. We expect beneficiaries of this support fund to grow to be highly resourceful entrepreneurs.
“These micro-businesses are integral to the local economy, especially in Ogoniland. From the Bori market in Khana to the Kibangha market in Gokana, from Nonwa market in Tai to the Nchia Market in Eleme, you can see these businesses’ daily struggles and efforts. Therefore, they cannot be ignored.
“By empowering these market women, HYPREP continues to prioritize inclusive participation in the project implementation process and invest in Ogoniland’s future.
“We believe that when women are empowered to run successful businesses, they improve their lives and contribute significantly to the welfare of their families and the broader community. The ripple effect creates stronger, more resilient communities capable of facing future challenges with confidence and hope.
“We are also mindful that access to finance is disproportionately difficult for micro businesses and a major constraint to their growth and development. Therefore, HYPREP continuously devises human-centered approaches such as this business support fund and other strategies emphasizing the importance of individuals and local communities in driving sustainable transformation.”
Earlier, HYPREP Head of Livelihoods, Mrs Josephine Nzidee, explained that the beneficiaries underwent training in collaboration with the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre to strengthen their capacities to run and sustain their businesses.
“For transparency and inclusiveness, these nano-businesses were identified on the spot at their locations in local markets across the four Local Government Areas. Questions were also asked to ascertain challenges and areas where they needed support and where HYPREP could intervene.
“At the end of the exercise, 10 market women from each LGA were identified, selected and trained in collaboration with the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre (a leading entrepreneurship and vocational skills training firm) to strengthen their capacities to run and sustain their businesses.”
Speaking on behalf of the benefiting Ogoni market women, Mrs Nkposor Naomi, a petty trader at Bori market who sells tomatoes and pepper, said she will use the grant to expand her trade by adding more articles.
She said, “I have already received an alert of N100,000 from HYPREP this afternoon. I will use the money to add stockfish and rice to my business. The federal government through HYPREP has remembered me by empowering my small business and I pray that the good Lord will continue to bless all of them.”
