Delta partners World Bank, EU to engage 1,345 youths

The Delta State Government said it has engaged 1,345 youths under its State Employment and Expenditure For Result Project.
The Commissioner for Finance, Chief Kenneth Okpara, said this at commencement of the orientation exercise for the beneficiaries of the second batch of the programme on Tuesday in Warri.
Okpara said that the project was being sponsored in partnership with the World Bank and the European Union.
He said the beneficiaries were selected from Udu, Uvwie and Warri South local government areas of the state.
He said that the beneficiaries were engaged in the cleaning of drainages, maintenance and rehabilitation of roads.
According to him, the gesture is part of the efforts of the state government to sustain its “Delta Beyond Oil” initiative.
Okpara said that the programme was geared toward reducing unemployment in the state and help to curb crime in the society.
The commissioner said that the state government would soon invest in agriculture and advised youths to take advantage of the programme.
Okpara advised the beneficiaries to show more commitment on the job because the state would not hesitate to sanction erring employees.
The Coordinator of SEEFOR, Benson Ojoko, said that 400 youths were engaged in the first batch of the project in Asaba in 2013.
Ojoko commended the World Bank, EU and the government of Delta State for the programme.