9th Graduate Youth Empowerment Programme Launched In Rivers State

The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources launched its 9^th Graduate Youth Empowerment Programme (GYEP) under the Niger-Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA) on Friday 2^nd June, 2017 in Egberu-Ndoki community of Rivers State.

Speaking at the occasion, the Honourable Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman H. Adamu, FNSE who was represented by the Ag. Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Musa Ibrahim stated that this was the 9^th flag-off of the Graduate Youth Empowerment Programme (GYEP) which had taken off in 8 River Basins in the last nine months.

He said that with the new Operational Guidelines of the GYEP recently launched, participants will be provided with farming skills and stipends to support them.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Managing-Director of the Niger-Delta Basin Development Authority, Engr. Tonye David-West lauded the initiative of the Honourable Minister of Water Resources in repositioning the River Basins to actualize their mandate. He added that the effort is yielding positive results.

“The GYEP is now making rounds and we are recording its flag-off here at Egberu and we are spreading economic opportunities to reduce crime and ensure even development in all catchment areas of Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta States”, he said.

Fifty (50) young graduates were assigned hectares of land; farming instruments and empowerment to enable them earn legitimate income. He stated that the programme would be sustained and more farms developed in order to actualize Mr. President’s food security for the country.

Margaret E. Umoh