TARABA (Sundiata Post) – As part of continued effects to check extreme poverty, Taraba State government has completed arrangements for the disbursement of grants to 18,000 youth across the State.
The Commissioner, Ministry of Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation Mr Habu Philip disclose this on Thursday at a Press briefing to mark his first one year in office as Commissioner.
Philip said that the Ministry have already disbursed grants to almost 3000 youth previously and the governor has given approval for the exercise to be expanded to cover additional 18,000 youth who will receive the grants in few weeks time.
He noted that as part of efforts to check poverty and empower the people, the ministry successfully engaged with the Federal Ministry of labour in Abuja and have taken over Skills acquisition centres that were built by the Federal Government but were not fully in use.
“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.
“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 of about 3000. As we speak, His Excellency has granted approval for expansion of the grants to cover 18,000 youth across the State. This is an unprecedented milestone in the history of our State.
“I am pleased to also inform you that the Skill Acquisition Centres 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 Center at Kona Road here in Jalingo local government area is also under serious renovation. The idea is to refurbish it to standard and make it very 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 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 8 in every 10 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” Philip said.
