The Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku has expressed disappointment over alleged abuse of empowerment scheme that however did not capture women and children in the locality.
This followed unauthorized resale of some beneficiaries of motorcycles he donated as grant to alleviate poverty amongst youths in Owan West Constituency.
The motorcycles — worth N108 million, according to Agbebaku, who represents Owan West Constituency in the State Assembly.
He made the allegation in an interview on Radio programme last Thursday in Benin City where he said he obtained from a financial institution via a repayment plan.
The Speaker also hinted on a proposed Bill to streamline and regulate activities of scrap dealers and scavengers in the State during the interview session.
He said, “I bought N108 motorcycles at the rate of N1 million each. Some of the beneficiaries went ahead and started selling it for N500,000. Some beneficiaries sold each for N700,000 for a new bike. Is that encouraging me or killing my spirit to do for others?
“Even as a Speaker, I go to farm. But most of our boys do not want to work. They want to stay under a tree where money falls from the top” according to him.
Agbebaku, lamented that reselling high-value tools for fraction-of-cost quick cash frustrates developmental efforts and discourages future community investment.
He noted that such practices undermine his goodwill and undermines the legislative objective of poverty alleviation and constituency development.
