The ECOWAS-EU Nigerian Small Arms and Light Weapons Action (SALWA) is dedicated to improving the lives of instigators in the country’s south-south geopolitical zone and has empowered approximately 50 former militants in the cross-river community.

The ECOWAS-EU Small Arms and Light Weapons Initiative aims to prevent the further proliferation and flow of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria, participate in the implementation of community-based micro-projects, implement alternative livelihood support, prevent violent conflicts and strengthen institutional capabilities.

The project is underway in five other states across the country, including Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and Zanfara. In Cross River, approximately 150 former spoilers have received training in various skills ranging from welding, barbs, hairdressing to ICT management, and everyone will receive a starter kit.

Just after the former agitators protested against non-payment of allowances and non-distribution of starter packs, they only promised after receiving a series of skills training. In less than three weeks, the organization organized the first handover-to EU/ECOWAS SAL. 50 livelihood beneficiaries of WA provide entrepreneurial packages.

The event was held at the headquarters of the Cross River State Police Command in Calabar and witnessed the government and its partners beginning to fulfill their promises to find alternative means of livelihood for young people in the state.

The items on display include wheeled cosmetic boxes, generator sets, fans, tables and chairs, mirrors, choba ultra-power professional hair clippers, towel heaters, hair clipper sterilizers, plastic chairs, swirl brushes, hair spray (200ml) and a Set of Allen keys.

Others include mobile phone accessories, HP laptop 14 laptops, 1TB HDD 4gp memory, industrial sewing machine, electric iron, 5.5m shears, 1.5m tape measure, food display microwave tray, spoon display refrigerator, equatorial vertical hair dryer, resin and hardening Agent, complete labor reader, shoe mold shoe cooling table accessories, welding helmet, electric welding machine, hand tools, saw cutter, glasses and hammer drill.

A complete set of tool drills, test lambs and mobile ladders, a complete set of mechanical tools, trolling floor jacks, complete integral safety boots, aluminum cutting machines and tape measures were also distributed.

President Ben Ayad, represented by Vice President Professor Ibarra Essu, addressed the 50 beneficiaries. He asked the beneficiaries to use this opportunity to lift themselves out of poverty to prosperity, from grass to grace, thanks to the EU/ The ECOWAS plan.

Ayade urged that taking into account their skills acquisition plan, the next batch should not be delayed as the first batch to avoid forgetful incidents, because if the planning time is too long, the trainees may forget what they have learned in the training and suggest the rest Trainees have to wait patiently while waiting for the power granted by the EU and ECOWAS SALWA program.

He said: "The governor has always been worried about why ECOWAS and the EU are delaying the process of the plan. When the group started to agitate, he became more worried, so I am very happy that the show has finally begun. To the beneficiaries, I appeal to you. Now that you have received the training and you have the proper authorization, please use this opportunity to start your life so that you will become your own CEO. Please do not sell these items, use them wisely and get out of poverty. This is farewell A practical and permanent way of poverty.

"I appeal to the European Union, please don’t let the second batch wait too long, because if you wait too long, you will forget the training you got. Thank you very much for your show. Please monitor to know who will sell these items and understand what will be People who do well."

In addition, Ibok of Austin, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Amnesty, called on beneficiaries to wait patiently because the exercise is underway.

"We started this process in 2017 in cooperation with the European Union and ECOWAS by the disbanded Presidential Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons Programme to understand how we can take away weapons in exchange for a reliable alternative livelihood.

"When we provide the starter kit, we can’t give you money so that you won’t go back to buy weapons. Every beneficiary here is registered with the Corporate Affairs Committee CAC. We have already added a crest to every item here, So you can’t sell them. The EU has hired a consultant to monitor the beneficiaries. We will monitor them through a consulting company.

"When it comes to time and speed, this plan is carried out in stages. We have a viable template. We start with training beneficiaries, then micro projects, and then starter packs. So I can assure you that in the next year, we Will ensure that all other beneficiaries are authorized."

Earlier, LITE-Africa Executive Director Dr. Joel Bisina said on behalf of ECOWAS-EU that the display of packaging is another important day in the implementation of the ECOWAS-EU Small Arms and Light Weapons Operation.

Bisina, represented by Tolu Oyero, stated that the operation was aimed at preventing illegal trafficking and the further proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria.

He added that the people who benefited today are those who have been trained in barbs, fashion/design, ICT, graphic design, etc., praising the Cross River and Akwa Ibom state government for creating an enabling environment for the implementation of the action.

As a continuation of the EU-ECOWAS Small Arms and Light Weapons Operation, two micro-projects were launched in two communities in the Bakassi local government area of ​​Cross River State.

The micro-projects donated under the operation entitled "Small Arms and Light Weapons Management in Nigeria" included a motorized borehole in Ikot Nkese and the refurbishment of the city hall in Akpap Okon Ene Ita community in Bakassi. The Armory of the Calabar Office of the National Narcotics Enforcement Administration was also inaugurated.

It is implemented by the Transformation and Empowerment Leadership Initiative (LITE) and the National Center for Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALWA), and is supported by the European Union (EU) through ECOWAS.

According to Dr. Joel Bisina, Executive Director of LITE Africa, represented by Tolu Oyero, these micro-projects are donated to promote development and bring sustainable peace, just as it will strengthen community security and peace in Nigeria’s border communities Same.

Some beneficiaries who spoke at the event praised the organization's intervention.

Norman Chika, who represents the former instigator, said that the display of these packages shows the government’s full effort, adding: “I promise to make good use of these items to improve his life and expand his business. And create more job opportunities."

As far as he is concerned, Ikot Okon Idem village chief and chief Asuquo Edet said that the partnership with EU-ECOWAS-EU is indeed to help the community and come at the most auspicious time.

Similarly, Effiom Ita, the mayor of Ikot Nkese village, stated that the drilling project will alleviate the suffering of the community and provide them with clean water.

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© 2019 Nigerian Sun-Managed by Netsera.

© 2019 Nigerian Sun-Managed by Netsera.

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