NDDC releases N500m to 10,252 skill acquisition graduates

By George Onah
PORT HARCOURT — Over N500 million has been released to the first batch of 10,252 skill acquisition graduates from nine states of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, as part of efforts to equip them in the fight against poverty in the region.

A breakdown showed that 1,900 youths would benefit directly from the scheme during the pilot phase. Provision has also been made in the 2010 budget for the second batch of beneficiaries, who had formed themselves into cooperative societies.

Managing Director of NDDC, Mr Chibuzor Ugwoha, disclosed to newsmen in Port Harcourt, yesterday, adding that the money was doled out to the beneficiaries in commencement of the commission’s entrepreneurial development scheme, “which has been in the pipeline for several years.

“It is one of the major milestones in our effort to confront the grave poverty and the attendant economic difficulties that have for long besieged our people and hindered their capacity to participate in the economic development of Nigeria”, he said.

“NDDC has trained a total of 10,252 youths in various skills such as welding and fabrication, computer and information technology, auto-mechanics, electrical installation, GSM repairs, fashion designing, catering and other home management skills,” he added.

He gave the objectives of the credit scheme to include creating access to credit facilities for co_operative societies, enhance economic emancipation of our people through skills acquisition and empowerment for various trades and venturess.

Further to these, he said the project aims at “creating business environment and economic culture which will address the absence of entrepreneurial competence among our people as well stimulate the creative imagination, talent and curiosity of our youth in the pursuit for development and excellence”.