Some widows in Cross River have commended the state government over its plan to offer them mass employment in its newly-established garment factory.

A cross section of the widows made the commendation in Calabar in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday.

The present administration has concluded plans to inaugurate the factory to mark Gov. Ben Ayade’s 100 days in office.

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Christian Ita, said the state had taken delivery of some equipment for the factory where widows would constitute 85 per cent of the workforce.

Mrs. Christiana Abang who applied for the job, told NAN that the establishment of the garment factory would bring succour to widows in the state.

Abang said that this was the first time the state government had had a meaningful intervention on widows’ plight in the state.

“It does not matter whether I am selected or not; what is important is that widows in Cross River, for the first time, have a government that is out to change their fortunes.

“It is not the issues of giving widows a pittance in the name of assistance. If we are given work to do it will be better for us so that we can take care of our families.”

Another widow, Mrs. Grace Ekpenyong, said the new administration in the state had proved that it was determined to take care of the poor.

Ekpenyong said that the decision of the government to set up such a factory showed that the government was ready this time to help the poor.

“This is a clear departure from the past when lip service was paid to the plight of the poor, especially the widows.”

Mrs. Ann Ubi described the state government’s initiative as very encouraging and expressed the hope that she would be selected for the job.

“I am a tailor and that is one of the requirements for the job; so I am very hopeful of being selected. I am happy about this government’s initiative.

“I have three children in school and have been finding it very difficult to train them; but with this, I will be on a monthly salary and that will help a lot.” (NAN)

•Photo shows Gov. Ayade.