By Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
As part of continued efforts to combat extreme poverty, the Taraba State government has finalised arrangements to disburse grants to 18,000 youths across the state.
The Commissioner for Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation, Mr Habu Philip, disclosed this on Thursday at a press briefing marking his first year in office.
Mr Philip said the ministry had already disbursed grants to almost 3,000 youths previously, and the governor had approved the expansion of the programme to cover an additional 18,000 youths who would receive grants in a few weeks.
He noted that as part of efforts to combat poverty and empower people, the ministry successfully engaged with the Federal Ministry of Labour in Abuja and took over skills acquisition centres built but not fully utilised by the Federal Government.
“First of all, I want to specially commend our leader, the Governor of Taraba State, Dr Agbu Kefas, for bringing us on board to serve in this capacity and for providing an enabling environment for us to be our best.
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“Between June and December last year, we were able to disburse grants of 50,000 and 100,000 naira, respectively, to various categories of youth, comprising about 3,000 individuals. As we speak, His Excellency has granted approval for the expansion of the grants to cover 18,000 youths across the state. This is an unprecedented milestone in the history of our state.
“I am pleased to also inform you that the Skills Acquisition Centre at Donga Local Government Area has been handed over to Taraba State University for efficient management and training of youth in various skills. Similarly, the other centre at Kona Road here in Jalingo Local Government Area is also undergoing serious renovation. The idea is to refurbish it to standard and make it fully functional again.
“The state governor has shown serious determination to tackle poverty in the state, and the results are beginning to show. As part of measures to tackle poverty, he declared free education in primary and secondary schools for all, including payment of registration for WAEC and NECO exams for students. The package also comes with the provision of uniforms and books. Of course, I don’t need to tell you that this is also unprecedented.
“We are well aware that things are very tough. In Taraba, the poverty index is very high. You have eight in every ten people living below the poverty line. This is totally unacceptable, and the governor is determined to ensure that the narrative changes. Already, the people on the streets, the people in the local villages, are feeling the impacts of his intervention and are grateful because he insists that what is meant for the people goes directly to them,” Mr Philip said.