Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong.
By Kelvin Obambon
The Senator representing Cross River Southern Senatorial District, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong has declared that steps taken by the Federal Government to provide safety nets for the less privileged and to build a more just and inclusive society were gaining significant traction.
He told the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) that despite global economic upheavals, these steps which are being driven by Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with support from the National Assembly will have full manistation soon.
In a press release from his media unit and made available to some journalists in Calabar, Ekpenyong made the remark Tuesday while addressing the 150th session of the IPU in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on the theme: Parliamentary Action For Social Development.
The lawmaker said, “given the current global economic and social climate, the steps being taken by President Bola Tinubu, and supported by parliamentary actions from the Senator Godswill Akpabio led National Assembly, the efforts to provide safety nets for the less privileged and to build a more just and inclusive society were gaining significant traction.”
Ekpenyong further said, “in spite of the challenges, Nigeria had established the Consumer Credit Corporation, which provides access to structured, low-interest credit; enacted the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) aimed at expanding access to higher education by providing interest-free loans to eligible students; and doubled the monthly allowances for corps members under the National Youth Service Corps.”
Senator Ekpenyong expressed confidence that Nigeria would continue to make progress towards achieving social justice, inclusive development, and lasting peace for all citizens and thanked the IPU for its invaluable work in nurturing synergy among national parliaments.