Taraba State Government inconjuction with African Development Bank, AfDB has presented tool kits to 120 trained Village Level Operations and Maintenance mechanics (VLOM) and starter packs to 119 unskilled youths trained in various skills.
Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku speaking at the presentation of the tool kits and starter packs to the 239 beneficiaries in Jalingo, said the idea was a deliberate efforts of his administration’s efforts in training and equipping of the youths which help in creating jobs and reducing restiveness among the youths.
The governor represented by the Secretary to the state government, (SSG) Mr. Anthony Jellason, Ishaku said the issue of frequent broken down of boreholes across Taraba communities and unemployment will be reduced as the VLOM beneficiaries were trained to tackle the challenge in various communities across the State.
“The training of 120 youths selected from various local government areas as Village Level Operations and Maintenance Mechanics will ensure the sustainability of our boreholes across the State.
“This is in line with our water project to ensure that all communities within Taraba have access to decent sources of safe drinking water.
“We have equally trained 119 unskilled youths in various skills ranging from computer operation, hairdressing, welding, shoe and leather works, tailoring, baking, make-up among others and we are giving them the required tool kits and starter-packs for effective discharge of their duties.
“I urged the beneficiaries to use their brains, strength and skills to effect meaningful change in their lives and society and shun social vices especially as the country prepares for elections.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Steering Committee of the AfDB supported Inclusive Basic Service Delivery and Livelihood Empowerment Integrated Programme (INSDLEIP), Anthony Jellason thanked Governor Ishaku for providing resources and giving his team the mandate to deliver on the project.
He urged the beneficiaries to take the gesture seriously as the government has trained monitoring officers who will monitor their activities and report regularly to the government, warning that anyone who misuses the grant will face severe consequences.
Also speaking, the State Programme Coordinator, Bashir Isiyaka, thank Governor Ishaku, AfDB and the Steering Committee Chairman, Mr. Anthony Jellason for their support to the programme and assured that efforts were being intensified to cover up the lost ground as a result of Covid-19 which slowed down the implementation of the programme.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke with our correspondent expressed happiness over the starter packs and tool kits given them and pledged to make judicious use of the items.
