Fifty indigenes of Delta State have been empowered by federal government through the National Directorate of Employment.
The NDE Director General, Abubakar Fikpo, represented by the State Coordinator, Mr Chukwuma Jinanwa, said in line with federal government’s plans to tackle unemployment and create wealth, the Vocational Skills Development VSD department of NDE has introduced Community Based Training Scheme (CBTS) to inject a large number of artisans in various technical and vocational skills into the economy from the rural and semi-urban areas across the state.
Abubakar noted that youths and women in rural areas have been trained in different vocational skills to increase the economy of the Nigeria. Adding that the disbursement of starter pack/ resettlement loan package and training on workshop management, safety precaution and life skill behavioural changes to the beneficiaries of the community based training scheme will reduce the unemployment rate in rural areas across the nation.
According to Abubakar, the resettlement loan package will be disbursed to 758 graduates of the community-based training scheme at the distribution of two beneficiaries per local government area in 18 selected states, with nine percent interest rate beginning after six months moratorium..
The empowerment programme focuses on catering, hairdressing, fashion designing, satellite installation and computer programming. Starter-packs have been given to them to commence their businesses.
He advised the beneficiaries to see the opportunity as a privilege because out of a whole lot trained, you were chosen.
Mr Okonta Uche who spoke on behalf of other beneficiaries thanked the federal government for the empowerment and assured that they will not disappoint the government, themselves and the NDE.