Many constituents across Delta South Senatorial District have continued to express strong support for the re-election of the lawmaker representing the district in the National Assembly, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, citing what they describe as unprecedented empowerment programmes and people-oriented initiatives delivered within his first two years in office.
Across the eight local government areas that make up the district, stakeholders say the senator has demonstrated a commitment to improving the livelihoods of constituents through targeted empowerment programmes, skills acquisition initiatives and support for small businesses and agriculture.
One of the earliest interventions came on October 2, 2023, when Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas launched a major empowerment and poverty alleviation programme that benefitted 142 constituents drawn from all local government areas and ethnic groups in Delta South.
Beneficiaries received motorcycles, deep freezers, sewing machines, grinding machines and generating sets to support their economic activities.
The senator followed up with a second round of empowerment on December 21, 2023, during which 78 constituents received items such as motorcycles, sewing machines, grinding machines and vulcanizing machines.
In addition, over 10,000 bags of rice of different sizes were distributed to households across the senatorial district to support families during the festive season.
In August 2024, the senator organised a two-day training programme on conflict resolution and peace building for 260 constituents from across the district.
Participants included community leaders, youth representatives, traditional institution delegates and members of Christian and Muslim organisations.
Following the training held on August 15 and 16, 146 participants received cash grants of ₦50,000 each, while the remaining beneficiaries were empowered with equipment including sewing machines, deep freezers and grinding machines to enhance their economic independence.
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Another large-scale empowerment programme took place on December 23, 2024, when more than 1,000 constituents received various empowerment items such as cassava grating machines, sewing machines, grinding machines, deep freezers, solar lighting equipment, Yamaha outboard engines and agricultural tools. About 100 beneficiaries also received training in solar installation and drug abuse awareness as part of the programme.
The senator also demonstrated commitment to agricultural development by facilitating the distribution of over 2,000 bags of Urea and NPK fertilisers to farmers across the eight local government areas of Delta South.
The fertiliser distribution was done in collaboration with the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to boost crop production and support farmers in the district.
In addition, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas facilitated financial assistance for small businesses through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), enabling 500 constituents to receive ₦50,000 grants each to strengthen their small and medium-scale enterprises.
Since his appointment as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content on February 4, 2025, the senator has also leveraged his position to create more opportunities for youths in Delta South through partnerships with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
Through the collaboration, more than 100 constituents have already been trained and empowered in various vocational and technical fields including Liquefied Petroleum Gas operations, Floating Production Storage and Offloading systems, welding and fabrication, solar panel installation, data science, automation, electrical transformer repairs, drone operations, CCTV installation and fire alarm systems, as well as barbing and beauty services.
Currently, about 500 constituents from Delta South are undergoing specialised professional training programmes in different parts of the country through initiatives facilitated by the senator in partnership with the NCDMB.
These programmes cover areas such as shipbuilding, subsea and FPSO operations, electric meter installation and repairs, agribusiness, bag making, international welding and fabrication, and satellite television installation.
Many constituents say these interventions have not only improved livelihoods but have also created opportunities for young people and entrepreneurs across the district.
For them, the achievements of Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas within a relatively short period provide compelling reasons to support his re-election in the 2027 general elections.
