Birnin Kebbi-The Kebbi State Government says it will localise its vocational centres for training of the youth and unemployed to cover the 21 local government areas of the state.
Alhaji Isah Sama, the Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Science and Technical Education, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Birnin Kebbi.
Sama said that the state currently has only one vocational centre under construction in Ambursa.
He said that the project was initiated in 2013 by the immediate past administration of the state.
“But it has reached about 50 per cent completion and our hope is that it will accommodate no fewer than 200 unemployed youths for their skills acquisition,’’ he said.
According to him, the centre on completion will train youths in auto-mechanic, electrical installation, fabrication, welding and block moulding as well as furniture making.
“We are optimistic that anybody who undergoes such training will be self-reliant and productive members of the society,’’ he said.
He said that the previous administration in the state earmarked N500 million for the building of the centre but could not complete it before leaving office.
“The project has been in a state of stagnation, but we are urging the present administration to take up and complete the project and to cause it to spread to the 21 local government areas,’’ he said.
Besides, he called on the government to make provision for equipping the centres as the inherited one lacked provision for facilities and training equipment.
Sama called for support of philanthropists and NGOs in attaining the projects spread for the right results.