NO fewer than 3,000 people have benefited from the Community Services Women and Youth Employment (CSWYE) Programme, a project of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment programme (SURE-P), the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, has said.
He spoke in Kaduna when he visited the state Governor Mukhtar Yero and the Emir of Zauzau, Alhaji Sheu Idris.
He said the beneficiaries include 2,200 males, 800 females, and 488 persons with disabilities.
He said: “These beneficiaries have received their monthly stipends up to June 2013, to the tune of N119 million, which, added to the running cost remitted to the state implementation unit for the project, sums up to N159 million so far.
‘’In the Northwest, a total of 21,000 women, youths and persons with disabilities are benefitting from the project and a total of N929 million has been spent in the geo-political zone from on this project alone
“The programme is a laudable social security intervention by the Federal Government, the first if its kind in the history of Nigeria. Kaduna is among the few states, who have received stipends up to June 2013.”
Wogu said the project was designed with unique features that ensure direct impact on these members of the society, who form the majority of the poor, unskilled and unemployed Nigerians, by transferring parts of the wealth saved from the partial removal of oil subsidy directly to them seamlessly, thereby empowering them economically.
He said the ministry was ready to explore areas of possible partnerships between the Federal, state and local government.
He also said: ”Another purpose for this visit is to explore areas of possible partnerships between the Federal, State and Local Governments on the Community Services, Women and Youths Employment CSWYE, SURE-P project in tackling the hydra-headed problems of unemployment.
“Their potentials could be harnessed in other areas of development within the state like skills-for-jobs in marketable areas, preferably related to the type of services they were engaged in during their participation in this project. Our technical team, under the Kaduna State and other Northwest states in the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) would be available to work with your team on any of these suggested areas for collaboration on this laudable project.”
Responding, Governor Yero said the state was much aware of the Federal Government’s efforts at creating jobs and reducing the poverty through the programme.
He said: “There is the need for the Federal Government, states and local governments to have a kind of synergy so that there will be a programme in such a way that it would transform the life of the people at the same time.
“It is going to be very important even if it is one aspect that we would sit down and agree. And I would like to advise that we look at the issue of empowerment very seriously.
“We have initial challenge when some people complained that they have been working but not paid. We report to the state co-ordinators and I am happy the money was paid. I am happy to hear today that in Kaduna State, all the beneficiaries have been paid till June. We, in Kaduna State, are able to key into the programme on time, as the minister has attested to it. When the issue came up, the coordinator for Kaduna State and the three zonal coordinators in the state met to know the activities of the SURE-P.
“But one thing that is very critical is sustainability because once it is sustained and there is prompt payment, people will be encouraged to continue doing what they are surposed to do. It will also help in creating opportunity that people have what they are doing and will not be involved in something that will create crisis. But if it is not sustained, there is going to be serious problem. We must, therefore, face the issue of sustainability and focus it, so that through SURE-P projects, the people trained will be able to sustain themselves and the programme will be sustained.’’
On empowerment, he said the government needs to train some people before they can be given incentives and to start their business with.
The Emir of Zauzau , Alhaji Sheu Idris, said in a civilised society, it is only dialogue that will promote unity and understanding to encourage unity. He commended the minister for taking such step.
He said: ”In our own side here, I want to reaffirm to our honourable minister that we are doing everything possible to enlighten our people. After the deliberation, we will online to enlighten our people, especially people from rural areas who are always having a lot of hopes. My only appeal to all of you that you don’t hesitate in your efforts to continue doing what you are doing. I know it is not easy, sometimes you will be criticised, but it doesn’t matter, you have to continue in that way.
“Whatever we do, we must have consideration to promote unit throughout the nation, and dedication to duties is most important. We do hope that you find the best way to encourage dedication to duties, that is through giving due promotion to the right people, giving the right thing to the right people at the right time. If that is done, I am sure you will find the job much easier.’’
