Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George has scrapped an annual merrymaking event to support over 30 constituents with funds for business startups.

This initiative he says seeks to establish of constituents and also promote businesses as the Homowo festival is fast approaching.

The initiative has been dubbed “MP’s livelihood support program.”

Speaking in an interview Sam George indicated there was the need to support his constituents in establishing themselves rather than using funds to make merry.

“…since 2017, when I became a member of parliament normally the traditioin I came to meet here from my predecessor, was that there was always going to be a party during the Homowo festivities and that’s our major festival. During that period there used to be a party were people come eat, drink and make merry in the first year I did that but I realized I needed to start what I called the MP’s Livelihood support program.

"So in August 2017 I set up 15 people in business. I repeated the same thing last year and I decided that instead of having the party the funds for the party will be added to whatever funds I have to set up people. Last year we set up another 17 people.

“This year, it’s the biggest we have done so far, we setting up 37 people this year. Basically it is what I would have used to make merry. It’s our Homowo is in two weeks so we are setting up this businesses for some of them to be able to but the things they need, because during Homowo a huge influx of people here so if you give people the support too late they miss that Homowo window that’s why we are doing this two weeks to the Homowo so that they would be able to prepare themselves and cash in the economic benefit.” He adds.

Over 100 people are expected to benefit from the initiative before the end of the year.