The Edo Government has distributed cash grants and business equipment to petty traders in Oba and Ekiosa markets in Benin to support their businesses and livelihoods.
The empowerment exercise, organised by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, was held as part of activities marking the 2026 World Humanitarian Day.
In a statement on Monday, the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs Andrea Olu-Martins, said the initiative was aimed at supporting petty traders in Oredo Local Government Area.
Speaking during the exercise, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Bisi Idaomi, said she was pleased to be part of the intervention because of its potential to improve residents’ economic well-being.
Idaomi said the exercise is a continuation of the ministry’s 2026 World Humanitarian Day empowerment programme, held in August, during which cash grants, grinding machines and wheelbarrows were distributed to traders.
She commended the Edo government for its commitment to social inclusion and poverty alleviation.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Augustine Etinosa, who operates a sachet water and soft drinks business, said the support came at a critical time when his business capital was dwindling.
He said the intervention would help sustain his business and support his family, noting that profit margins from selling water and soft drinks were low.
Another beneficiary, Mrs Irene Ibinabo, who received a grinding machine, said her previous machines were worn out from constant use.
She described the intervention as timely, saying it would help improve her business operations.
Other partners that supported the exercise included the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Exploration and Production and Vesa Fisheries.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that items distributed included wheelbarrows, wet and dry grinding machines, and cash support for soft drink and sachet water vendors and other petty traders.
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