By Our Reporter, Uyo
Petty traders in Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District have begun receiving critical support to grow their businesses, as Senator Aniekan Bassey flags off a comprehensive 6-day training and empowerment programme aimed at strengthening small-scale enterprises and enhancing economic self-reliance at the grassroots level.
The initiative, launched on Wednesday at the Senatorial Constituency Office, is being implemented in partnership with the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), a national leader in rural development and entrepreneurial training.
Speaking during the event, the Director General of Team Aniekan Bassey, Obong Godwin Awah, noted that the programme is tailored to empower informal sector traders with practical knowledge in financial literacy, inventory management, customer service, and the application of digital tools for sales and business management.
“This programme is not just a response to today’s challenges but a step toward building a stronger, more resilient local economy,” Obong Awah said. “The tools and knowledge shared here will help our traders grow beyond subsistence level and integrate better into the formal economy.”
Also addressing the participants, the Programme Director and Director of Protocol to the Senator, Hon. Desmond Etim, emphasized that the training will roll out in phases, ensuring coverage across all local government areas within the senatorial district.
“We are not only offering education—we are offering transformation. The skills gained here will begin to reflect in the traders’ businesses almost immediately. From improved record-keeping to better customer relations and inventory control, these tools are designed for instant impact,” Etim explained.
He further disclosed that participants will receive ongoing support and monitoring to ensure the sustainability of the programme’s outcomes.
In the coming weeks, more traders from other LGAs will join subsequent batches of the training, while the first set of participants will begin to receive business development kits and financial tools to reinforce the lessons learned.
One of the participants, Mr. Asuquo Edet, thanked Senator Bassey for what he described as a “life-changing intervention,” noting that the initiative reflects the Senator’s commitment to the real needs of his people.
This empowerment initiative marks another bold step by Senator Aniekan Bassey in driving inclusive economic development through human capital investment. With a focus on immediate application and long-term growth, the programme is expected to stimulate grassroots commerce, reduce poverty, and promote self-sufficiency among petty traders across Akwa Ibom North-East, Uyo (senatorial District)
