By Rabiu Doma, Nasarawa
–
The new initiative of Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura’s Youth Empowerment Scheme of training 70,000 Youths may have hit a brick wall. Indicators suggest the scheme may not yield the desired result. The initiative is reported to be facing stiff opposition by the beneficiaries of the scheme.
This revelation was coming on the heel of non-availability of facilities offered to graduates of the skill Acquisition program of the present administration. The Nasarawa state Relevant Technology Board and Skill Acquisition centers have witnessed low enrollment of trainees – largely owing to the meager allocation of working facilities to graduates by the state
Government.
According to reports, the four existing Skills Acquisition centers had deviated from the standing order of equipping graduates with working tools to enable them establish their own businesses.
In past administrations, proper provisions were made for graduates while trainees were paid N3000 as monthly allowances. An insider with the scheme noted that graduates had received training on computer – and given free sets of computer, Auto-mechanic and plumbers were
provided with sets of tools, while knitting graduates were provided with
knitting machine, graduates of hair dressing were supported with Hair-dressing
machine, welders were given welding machine.
Graduates who are yet to be compensated have begun to complain. Most of the complainants have continued to feel the air – on how the Governor mishandled the affairs
of the Skill Acquisition centers.
Also, the Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES) of Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura to train 70,000 Youth and Women may not be feasible due to paucity of fund to purchase facilities for graduates. And the inability to provide necessary funds to facilitate for the program – was reported to be the last straw that broke the Carmel’s back – causing the would-be recipients of the program to reject the governor’s gift.
Other challenges of the center include the absence of overhead cost to the Relevant Technology Board and Skills Acquisition Centre. Also, the centers are plagued with epileptic power supply. This is as available information revealed the amount expended on refueling of generators may have been diverted to other private ventures. Other obstacle faced include the shortage of knitting instructors. It was confirmed to 247ureports.com that 69 instructors are on temporary appointment.
The General Manager of the centre, Engr.Adamu Ibrahim in talking to 247ureports.com on the challenges – confirmed that low power supply contributes to the nagging problems facing the centre. He added that the centre is expecting the supply of sophisticated machines soon. He further said the procurement of sophisticated machines is part of the serving administrations effort to transmit into reality the recent visit of the state Governor and instructors
from Relevant Technology Board and Skills Acquisition centre to Singapore. He listed some of the challenges of the centre to low participation of trainees.
Engr. Adamu said efforts were on the pipeline for the establishment of additional Skills Acquisition center’s cut across the three senatorial zones. While answering questions on the desk donated by the Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board, he stated that the desk contract of 65,000 desk was at a completion stage.
The General Manager also revealed that the centre has introduced vocational courses in special schools for the physically impaired in the state, speaking on some of the new courses introduced are roof work, aluminum roofing, pomade making, insecticide.
