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Tag: Muhammad Bello

  • FCT minister commiserates with NUJ over death of members

    The Minister, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Bello, has commiserated with members of FCT council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) over the death of their three colleagues in two months, describing the deaths as  losses to  journalism.

    Bello, who was at the council secretariat in Utako, Abuja, on a condolence visit, said the three fallen journalists were friends of the administration.

    The minister presented letters of condolence on behalf of the FCT administration, to the council chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Ogbeche, for transmission to the families of the deceased journalists: Grace Nwodo, aka Madam Waka of Love FM; Olajide Fashikun of Gong News and Chris Edoga of FRCN, all of the FCT council, who died between late December 2018 and January 2019.

    Bello, who was accompanied to the event by the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Umar Gambo Jibrin, expressed disappointment at the state of the secretariat, used the occasion to also assure the Council that all hindrances to the completion of the FCT NUJ Secretariat have been cleared and that the contractor would mobilize to site for the speedy completion of the secretariat complex in a couple of weeks.

    “I am surprised that the building is still like this because I thought that by now it would have progressed more than this. But, I assure you that in the next two weeks, the contractor will be mobilised to site to complete at least the first phase because we agreed that the complex will be completed in phases. I can also assure you that when the first phase is completed, the building will be more benefitting than any other in the country,” he said.

    Ogbeche thanked the minister for his  support to the council, especially in his efforts to ensure the speedy completion of the Council’s secretariat.

    He lamented the lack of a befitting secretariat for the council and the slow pace of work at the site, calling on the Minister to make good his promised to complete the secretariat complex.

    Ogbeche also called on the Minister to provide the Council with buses for conveying members to and from union events as well as for sustainable investments that would take the union to the next level.

    A former Chairman of Council, Comrade Jacob Edi, commended the minister for his accessibility and purposefulness.

    He expressed confidence that the minister would  fulfil his promise of ensuring the completion of the FCT NUJ Complex which, according to him, should be befitting of the status of the Federal Capital Territory.

    Highlight of the occasion was a tour of the uncompleted secretariat complex by the Minister, accompanied by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Sir Chinyeaka C. Ohaa and other management staff of the FCTA, the Executive Secretary, FCDA, U.G Jibrin and members of the FCT NUJ.

     

  • 2019: Major shakeup in FCT as minister appoints interim heads

    … Six political officer holders resign 

     

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Bello has posted some senior officers to oversee some agencies, it was learnt on Wednesday. 

    The development is due to the vacation of positions by some political office holders who are seeking political offices in the forthcoming 2019 general elections. 

    The appointments, the minister said became necessary in order not to leave any vacuum in the operations of the affected Agencies.

    Accordingly, the Chief of Staff, Malam Muhammad Bashir Mai Bornu, is to oversee the activities of the Transportation Secretariat while Dr. Aminu Mohammadu Mai, General Manager of the FCT Hospital Services Management Board, would be in charge of the Health and Human Services Secretariat.

    In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Assistant (Media) to FCT Minister, Abubakar Sani, Mr. Sunny Monedafe, Board Member I, Secondary Education Board, is now to oversee the affairs of the Board while Malam Bashir Muhammad, Director, FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, is to superintend over the Social Development Secretariat.

    Also, Mr. Chika Alexander Nwatu, Special Assistant on Community Relations would continue in that capacity with additional responsibility over Abuja North while Dr. Bala Mohammed Liman, Senior Special Assistant on Finance and Economic Matters would oversee the Education Secretariat.

    Read Also: Flood ravages FCT communities, kills 3

    It would be recalled that the minister had issued a strong directive that they should first resign before going ahead with their political ambitions. 

    This strong directive, which was contained in a circular PS/FCTA/589, dated 38th August, 2018, was made available to Executive Secretary, FCDA, Chief of State to the FCT Minister, Secretaries of Mandate Secretariats and Senior Special Assistants for onward circulation to the entire workforce. 

    It was also made available to all Directors in the FCTA and FCDA, Special Advisers (Community Relations), Special Assistants, Heads of FCT parastatals and agencies. 

    Findings revealed that a lot of political office holders were nursing the ambition to contest for an office in the forthcoming 2019 general elections, but they have not made their intentions publicly known.

    Many are according to sources considering the options before taking final decisions. 

    The circular which was personally signed by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Sir Christian Ohaa, reads in parts: “You may wish to note that in compliance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2010, (as amended), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued the Timetable and  Schedule of Activities for the conduct of the 2019 General Elections

    “Consequently, the Honourable Minister of FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has directed political appointees and other employees in the Federal Capital Territory Administration who wish to seek elective positions to formerly resign from their current positions to enable them pursue their political  ambitions.”

    It also directed thus: “Those affected are expected to handover all government property in their custody to the Permanent Secretary, upon the submission of their letters of resignation.”

     

  • Why l defected with Shekarau to APC – Sen. Bello

    A one-time senator of Kano central senatorial district, Muhammad Bello on Tuesday said he followed his political leader, former Kano State governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau to All Progressives Congress (APC) to strengthen the capacity of party and ensure victory in the forthcoming elections for President Buhari and Governor Ganduje.

    Shekarau recently defected to APC from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following the dissolution of the state structure by the national body of the party.

    However, some of the Shekarau’s loyalists, including Bello had decided to join him in APC, while others opted to remain in PDP.

    Speaking immediately after collecting his party membership card at his Fagge (A) ward in Fagge Local Government area, on Tuesday, Bello said he would not contest for any position in APC.

    According to Bello, he decided to join forces with APC in order to strengthen the party to win all electoral positions in the forthcoming 2019 elections.

    Bello, a former commissioner during Shekarau’s administration boasted that his strong support base was enough to consolidate on the successes of APC in the state.

    Read Also: Shekarau dumps PDP

    “I joined APC to add value to the party. Looking at this crowd, you will have the impression that our support base is capable of adding strength to APC’s capacity in Kano State.

    ” We have decided to move to APC due to the injustice mated on us in PDP. We hope the injustice will not be replicated in APC.

    “From all indications, APC would do justice as it is the party that adheres strictly to its manifesto of internal democracy.

    ” I will not contest for any position now,but I don’t know what future holds. I am just in APC to contribute my quota towards its success,”

    On his part, the ward’s APC chairman, Jamilu Isyaku, expressed delight for receiving senator Bello in the party.

    He expressed optimism that Bello would contribute a lot to the success of APC in the state come 2019.

  • FCT minister suspends mining, quarrying activities in affected areas

    All quarrying/mining activities and borehole drilling have been suspended forthwith in parts of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Minister Muhammad Bello, announced yesterday.

    It was in reaction to the earth tremors in the territory.

    Affected by the quarrying/mining and borehole drilling suspension are Mpape, Gwarimpa and Garki districts.

    The suspension will subsist pending the outcome of investigations on the causes of the tremors.

    Bello yesterday paid an on-the-spot visit to Mpape, the epicentre of reported incidents of earth tremors in parts of Abuja recently.

    Speaking for the minister, the FCT Permanent Secretary, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, assured residents that there was no cause for alarm.

    He said Abuja does not lie in any major seismic danger zone.

    The minister’s Chief Press Secretary, Cosmas Uzodinma, said preliminary reports on the tremors indicated that rock blasting from quarrying, mining activities and proliferation of borehole drilling might have caused the situation.

    Consequently, he stressed, it became necessary to suspend all quarrying activities in various sites of Abuja, especially Mpape, Garki, Gwarimpa and contiguous areas.

     

  • French Govt helping Nigeria fight Boko Haram, says Ambassador

    … As Minister confers Macron honorary citizenship of Abuja 

     

    French Ambassador to Nigeria, Denys Gauer, on Tuesday said French President Emmanuel  Macron’s government has been partnering with Nigerian government in the fight against Boko Haram sect.

    Gauer said this in Abuja during the first visit of Macron to Nigeria since his election in May 2017.

    Presenting the Key to the City of Abuja to President Macron,  the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Malam Muhammad Bello stated that it demonstrates the strong friendship and cordial relationship between the people of Nigeria and France.

    President Macron’s Boeing 777 Republique Francaise aircraft touched down in the Presidential Wing of the Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja,  at exactly  15.09 hours local time.

    He was received upon arrival by the Nigerian  Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama.

    Read Also: Dialogue is solution to Boko Haram, says Turaki

    Speaking to newsmen on the visit, the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Denys Gauer, stated that the visit underscores the very strong relationship between  France and Nigeria.

    According to the statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary, to the FCT Minster,  Mr. Cosmas Uzodinma, Gauer said that France has ongoing security  and political partnerships with Nigeria especially in the fight against  Boko Haram.

    He however noted that the current visit would focus on economic and cultural cooperation. He would also dialogue with Nigerian youths.

    To this effect,  the French President after his meeting with the Nigeria President, Muhammadu Buhari, would proceed to Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital for other aspects of the visit.

    In his words, “France has had strong security cooperation with Nigeria with regards to Boko Haram insurgency but the current visit would focus on culture  business and youth. He hopes to dialogue with Nigerian youths.”

    President Macron, it could  be recalled, has been to most francophone countries as well as Ghana.

    Nigeria is the second anglophone  country he is visiting.

  • UNWTO-CAF meeting will put Nigeria on global focus – Lai Mohammed

    The 61st UN World Tourism Organisation’s Commission for Africa ( UNWTO – CAF ) meeting in Abuja, from June 1 to June 6, will put Nigeria under global focus in addition to its socio-economic gains.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made this assertion when he led a delegation to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Mohammed said this was a good opportunity, as it would put the country under global focus and attract socio-economic gains, while placing Nigeria and the nation’s tourism industry in particular, on the world map.

    In the same vein the meeting provides the country an opportunity to showcase itself to the world, especially in the area of culture and tourism.

    Mohammed stressed that Nigeria had a lot to show, namely, a lot of tourists’ attraction, rich culture as well as music and films, which have taken the world by storm.

    Mohammed said that the team was in the FCT to start off the series of visits and advocacy to key stakeholders.

    He said this was with regards to Nigeria’s hosting of the first meeting of the UNWTO – CAF.

    “As the host minister of this conference, that makes it imperative for us to make your office as the first port of call.

    “Mr President has accepted very graciously to personally declare the meeting open and that makes Mr President the first person to be invited.

    “With this visit, the Minister of the FCT has become the second person to be invited,’’ he said.

    According to the minister, the global tourism body unanimously gave Nigeria the hosting right for the meeting during its last meeting in Addis-Ababa in April 2017.

    “The meeting we are planning to host is very important.

    “UNWTO, which is the custodian of the meeting, has a global membership of 158 members, six associate members and several associate members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities.

    “UNWTO also comprises six regional commissions with the Commission for Africa, to which Nigeria belongs being the largest with 51 ministers.

    “The meeting will be attended mostly by delegates from 51-member states of CAF, which is the acronym for the Commission for Africa, as against the Confederation for African Football Federation. A 13-member technical team will be here by the end of this month to commence preparations,’’ he added.

    The minister used the occasion to formally invite the FCT minister to the event as the minister of the host city.

    He also called on Nigerians to support the Federal Government to ensure a successful hosting of the event.

    Responding, FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello assured the UN World Tourism Organisation’s Commission for Africa ( UNWTO – CAF ), that the city is ready for the 61st Meeting in Abuja.

    Bello expressed delight over the choice of Abuja as host city, saying that the event fits well into the drive of the FCT administration, to make Abuja a global tourism and conference destination.

    He commended his Information and Culture counterpart for the hard work in successfully securing the hosting rights for the meeting.

    The minister said it was a reflection of how the outer world now perceives the country, as well as an eloquent indication of the fact that the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is getting it right.

    “For Nigeria to win the hosting right must have entailed a lot of hard work. This is very commendable. These are all reflections of how the outer world now perceives Nigeria.

    “It’s a reflection that this government is getting it right and it’s something that we all feel proud of.

    “We are going to give maximum support to this conference because it showcases Nigeria and, above all, it showcases Abuja and it fits into our programme of working to position the city as a conference destination.

    “Giving Abuja’s beauty, good road network, serenity and security we can boldly say that Abuja is ready for the tourism world,’’ he said.

    Bello pledged the support of the FCTA, saying that a team headed by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr Christian Ohaa, is working tirelessly to ensure a hitch free conference in liaison with conference’s local organising committee.

    “Naturally, we will host the dinner and we will provide buses for all the delegates.

    “Of course, we will also provide 24-hour security. Above all, you’ve made this country proud and we will support you for a successful hosting,’’ he added.

    NAN

  • FCTA, ITF to collaborate on skills development

    FCTA, ITF to collaborate on skills development

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration ( FCTA ), has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Industrial Training Fund ( ITF ) to train youths in the territory on necessary entrepreneurial and vocational skills.

    The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, said this when the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of ITF, Sir Joseph Ari paid him a courtesy visit on Friday in Abuja.

    “We are ready to partner with ITF to reduce unemployment in the Territory by ensuring that our youths acquire the necessary skills that would make them self-employed and employers of labour.

    “This is especially very important now that there is so much influx of people from every part of the country into the Territory,’’ he said.

    According to him, this is in a bid to curtail the rate of unemployment in the territory and the country in general.

    The minister, represented by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Chinyeaka Ohaa lauded the enormous contributions of the ITF in repositioning the nation’s economy on the path of sustainable growth and development.

    “We know that ITF is one of the foremost institutions that have helped Nigeria’s economy tremendously.

    “In fact, your role is even more critical now that we are having unemployment issues,’’ he added.

    Earlier, Ari, the ITF director-general, said that given the position of FCT as the gateway of Nigeria, the agency believed in partnership with FCTA.

    “This partnership particularly in the area of skills acquisition will assist immensely to achieve the dream of President Muhammadu Buhari, to empower young people with requisite skills.

    “We are here to synergise with FCTA being the gateway of Nigeria to achieve the dream of Buhari which is hinged on empowering people with skills in different areas,’’ he explained.

    The ITF boss further said that the agency had keyed into the policy of Federal Government on the “Ease of Doing Business and other international trends.

    NAN

  • EXPOSED: NASS committee uncover rots in State House clinic

    EXPOSED: NASS committee uncover rots in State House clinic

    The Hon. Magaji Aliyu-headed House of Representatives ad-hoc committee investigating the deplorable state of the Presidential Clinic on Thursday ordered the Ministry of Health and Federal Capital Territory (FCT)  to provide a detailed account of the State House Clinic.

    This was as the House members expressed the willingness to ensure the effective management of the State House Clinic which according to them, is the first point of call in case of health-related emergency.office of Nigerian President.

    The members expressed concern over the disclosure in the report presented by the State House Permanent Secretary Jalal Arabi that out of 329 personnel working in the State House Clinic, 47 non-core medical personnel for several years illegally collected call-duty allowances.

    According to him, some doctors sponsored by the State House on Residency Programmes (usually 2 years), got their call duty allowances paid “even though they are no longer performing call duties at the Medical Centre.”

    He further stated: “Sadly, some of them were discovered to have spent close to 7 years doing a residency, with many changing institutions, as they fail to qualify. In view of the fact that paying doctors on sponsored Training programmed call duty allowance was considered unearned allowances.

    “IPPIS (OAGF) was advised to cease paying them such allowances pending their return to duty from training. This has, however, become controversial and we are reviewing with the assistance of the Federal Ministry of Health who are guiding us appropriately,” Arabi said.

    He said despite their failure to enlist on the State House Clinic’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), 80 percent of the State House workers and their spouses are enjoying free medical services, at the expense of the government

    His words: “The State House reached an agreement with HMOs with regard to the remittance of all NHIS payments in respect of State House Staff whose NHIS point is the State House Medical Centre. It is instructive, however, to note that whereas almost 80% of the personnel serving in the State House access medical services at the State House Medical Centre, only about 20% of them selected the medical Centre as their NHIS point.

    “The implication of the foregoing is that, whereas they access free medical services at the Centre, their respective NHIS contributions go to those medical facilities they selected as their providers, even though they do not go there for any medical service. This explains the quick depletion of the drugs and other consumables due to the very high number of patients being attached.”

    Recall that on October the 12th, 2017, following a motion sponsored by Mr Henry Archibong (PDP, Akwa Ibom) and the outcry of the wife of Mr President, Aisha Buhari, the House resolved to constitute an ad-hoc committee to probe the deplorable condition of the State House clinic.

    At the interactive session were Ismaila Kawu, Senior Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters (House); Ita Enang, Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate); Osagie Ehanire, Minister of State for Health and representatives of Muhammad Bello, FCT Minister, held at the National Assembly complex, Abuja.

    Both the Minister of State for Health, Osagie Ehanire and the FCT Health Secretary, Mrs Amanda Pam while appearing before the committee said the state House clinic is not directly under the Ministry of Health and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Magaji Aliyu, chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee and other lawmakers were surprised over the presentations of both Ministers, as they denied knowledge of activities of the State House Clinic.

    Aliyu said: “The summary of the whole thing is that the clinic is just there, it is not supervised and is not under anybody.

    “The Ministry of Health and FCT said they are not aware, meaning the hospital is just there.. I want all information on the clinic. We can’t afford to risk the life of Mr. President and somebody should be responsible.”

    But Osagie Ehanire, Minister of State for Health put things in perspective for the lawmakers.

    He said he does not know who is in charge as the clinic is not directly under Federal Ministry of Health.

    “The State House Clinic is not directly under my ministry. I don’t know who is directly in-charge. I didn’t say that it is not under anybody, may be under the FCT.

    “It is not unusual that the clinic is not under the ministry, this is also applicable in some states. This is what we met on ground.

     “I am not aware of the status of the training of the doctors practising in the clinic. The choice of who heads the clinic lies on the President. It is the prerogative of the President.”

    The Clinic, he however said, is supposed to be operated along regular hospitals.

    Amanda Pam, Secretary, FCT Health Secretariat while speaking explained that the State House Clinic was not under the FCT administration.

    “12 general hospitals and four teaching hospitals excluding State House Clinic are being supervised by the administration.”

  • FG committed to ending poverty – FCT Minister

    FG committed to ending poverty – FCT Minister

    The FCT Minister Malam Muhammad Bello says that the Federal Government ( FG ) is committed to putting an end to poverty in the country.

    Bello stated this at a charity football match tagged: ‘Kick – Out Poverty’ organised to mark 2017 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on Sunday in Abuja.

    According to him, one of the greatest challenges confronting humanity in the 21st Century is chronic and excruciating poverty that is unsparing of race and creed or even nationality.

    “Combating this obstacle to good quality living has been global issue for as long as the existence of humanity.

    “The present administration through its social safety and economic programmes consisting of the N-Power scheme, the school feeding programme as well as the conditional cash transfer scheme are all geared towards ending poverty.

    “The dispensation is moving towards ending the phenomenon circle in which many Nigerians have unfortunately found themselves,’’ he said.

    The minister said the FCT is keying into all the programmes while embarking on several others of its own.

    “We are, however, all aware that the economic downturn has made it quite clear that government alone cannot meet all its obligations in this regard.

    “That is why when non-governmental organisations such as Elizabeth Foundation come with laudable programmes such as this football match today to partner with us in this anti-poverty fight, we welcome them with open arms.

    “The aim of this football match is to create public awareness on the problems posed by grinding poverty and what we all can do as individuals or group to combat it,’’ he added.

    Bello urged both the spectators and players to leave the match venue with a clear determination to do all that is possible to end the poverty vicious circle.

    He appealed to the legislative arm of government, who happened to be part of the participants of the match to enact laws that will provide succour for the needy.

    “And the celebrities should use their fame to draw attention to the dangers poverty poses to the society,’’ he said.

    Speaking earlier, Mrs Angel Adelami, Founder of Elizabeth Foundation said the foundation is vision of like-minded persons who believe that poverty is neither normal nor acceptable.

    “We are concern with the plight of widows suffering cultural malpractices, children orphaned or displaced by conflicts and products of broken homes.

    “The common denominator for all these groups is that they are all poor. We at Elizabeth Foundation believe that poverty is a disease.

    “Like measles, tuberculosis, malaria and ebola, poverty is curable and can be eliminated. Our present areas of focus are provision of clean potable water, sanitation and skills acquisition,’’ she said.

    She said that without the active collaboration and partnership of the stakeholders like government, NGOs, corporate bodies, the Media and victims of poverty, the goals cannot be achieved

    “Therefore, in partnership with government, we specifically note the place of the legislature as an important branch that can change the course of the ugly trend through purposeful legislation.

    “We must also ensure that government interventions aimed at poverty reduction achieved meaningful results and targets,’’ she added.

    Adelami said that the foundation need to raise at least N200 million to enable them undertake several projects and programmes across the country.

    “We sincerely hope and appeal that you will meaningfully contribute both morally and financially to the fund in order to increase our capacity to kick out poverty in Nigeria,’’ she said.

    Also, the Speaker House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara congratulated the foundation for coming up with such great idea.

    He assured Nigerians that the legislative arm would do all that is beneficial to all Nigerians.

    He called on executive arm of government to do the needful to give the nation the best.

    The novelty match between the Team House of Representatives and the Team Nigeria Media ended two goals to nil in favour of the Team House of Rep.

    NAN

  • FCTA to support beneficiaries of Fadama III to access land

    FCTA to support beneficiaries of Fadama III to access land

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) said it would support beneficiaries of the Fadama III Additional Financing Graduates Unemployed Youths and Women Agro-Preneur Support (GUYS) programme to acquire lands.

    The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, said this on Tuesday in Zuba, near Abuja at the official inauguration of Fadama III Additional Financing GUYS.

    Bello, represented by Hajia Amina Abubakar, the Director of Human Resources Development, FCTA, commended the National Office of Fadama III Additional Financing for the initiative to support unemployed graduates in the country.

    “Let me make a request that the FCT be provided a special consideration in order to meet up the expected target of 300 trainees as obtained in other states.

    “I have been briefed that land was an issue that made many of the prospective candidates to lose out.

    “In this connection, the FCTA will ensure that all qualified youths are adequately supported to access land for the production activities that will be needed,” he said.

    The minister said the initiative would contribute significantly to the attainment of food security, job creation and income generation among youths and women.

    He called on the beneficiaries to be fully rededicated to the programme, so that they would be equipped to succeed in their chosen agricultural enterprise at the end of the training.

    Dr Musa Aliyu, the Acting Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, FCTA, commended the FCT Office of the Fadama III Additional Financing for the achievement recorded since its inception.

    He said more than 330 business plans from Fadama Groups across the FCT had been approved and implementation commenced in earnest.

    “All these achievements would not have been possible without the unflinching support of the FCTA.

    “Of particular note was the approval by the minister for the release of outstanding counterpart funds, which made the FCT Fadama III Additional Financing project disbursement effective,” he said.

    Alhaji Abdullahi Salisu, the Coordinator, FCT Fadama III Additional Financing said the beneficiaries were selected following their passion for agriculture and willingness to become agro-preneurs.

    He said the training would be conducted by the Department of Agriculture, FCT College of Education Zuba, in collaboration with the FCT Fadama Coordination Office.

    Salisu said the beneficiaries would be trained in crop, livestock, Fish, poultry, and grass-cutter production, agro-inputs machinery as well as advisory services and extension.

    He said 122 unemployed youths and women would benefit from the two weeks intensive training programme.