DESOPADEC Raises Pondi's Business Grant

The Board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, on Monday 9th March, boosted High Chief Kestin Pondi's business grant initiative with a mouth watery sum of 10 million naira to each of the 10 beneficiaries. 

Announcing the Commission's support, the Managing Director/ CEO of DESOPADEC, Chief Festus Ochonogor commended High Chief Pondi for the bold intervention, noting that government alone cannot shoulder every responsibility of economic development.

"Government cannot do everything. Initiatives like this complement the efforts of government and directly empower our people," Chief Ochonogor said.

The Executive Director of Finance And Administration, Chief Oghenekome Reginald Okpobor who was also present at the event described the initiative as a powerful demonstration of how visionary leadership can transform lives.

"What we witnessed today goes beyond philanthropy. This is a deliberate economic empowerment that will strengthen families, support small businesses and stimulate growth across our communities. High Chief Kestin Pondi has shown that when individuals with capacity decide to uplift others, the ripple effect can be monumental," he said.

The event which was the grand finale of Chief Kestin Pondi's business grant initiative originally targeted 50 entrepreneurs with the sum of N5 million naira for each beneficiary. But in a twist of fate which left the beneficiaries dumbfounded, the amount was doubled to N10 million naira each for the fifty beneficiaries, paving way for the leadership of DESOPADEC to deepen the impact by announcing the addition of 10 more beneficiaries with each to receive N10 million naira. 

The General Manager Operations, Tantita Security, Chief Godfrey Pondi, thereafter matched the gesture with the addition of 10 more beneficiaries while the Delta State Commissioner for Power And Energy, Engr. Ifeanyi Anoka also announced his contribution of additional 10 more beneficiaries, thus making the total beneficiaries for the empowerment to be 80 and the total sum of money given out to be N800 million naira.

The event which was more than just a grant disbursement ceremony was a gripping reminder that initiatives like this tend to boost economic opportunities, create jobs and improve livelihoods, contributing to the overall development of the Niger Delta region.

Present during the event were the Executive Director of Social Services, Chief Favour Izoukumor and Member representing Urhobo nationality on the Board, Chief Hon. Oghenekaro Goru.

By Evelyn Obibi-Assay 

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