By Pwanagba Agabus, Jos
In its efforts to improve their socio-economic wellbeing and enable them to contribute towards the development of their State and country, the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) is set to train over 350 youths in Plateau State in 36 relevant skills.
HYPPADEC said the training which is expected to last between three to six months depending on what the beneficiaries want to learn.
The Commission also said it will support the aforementioned number of youths with startup grants to enable them to set up after their training so that they can train others.
The Managing Director of HYPPADEC, Abubakar Sadiq disclosed that, “the beneficiaries of this which is expected to last between three to six months depending on the area the choose to be trained, will be supported with startup grants to enable them to set up their own businesses, so that they can train others too.
HYPPADEC addresses ecological and socio-economic challenges of communities affected by operations of hydroelectric dams in Nigeria and has members of the council from Kebbi, Niger, Kogi, Kwara, Plateau and Benue states, these are also the six states that are members.
In Plateau State, the benefitting local governments are Bassa, Bokkos, and Barkin Ladi local government areas of the State.
Sadiq also noted that, “If HYPPADEC will address youth unemployment in HYPPADEC producing states we have achieved our mandate.
According to him, “The Commission has come with a different approach of putting a smile on the faces of communities.
“About 56 Local Government Areas within the six States of HYPPADEC enjoyed free medical outreach”, he stressed.
Governor, Simon Lalong, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the State, Prof. Danladi Atu at the event tagged “HYPPADEC Youth Transformation Programme in Plateau State”, said, “the flag-off of the programme is borne out of the determination to develop young people through community development, and the gesture would take more youths off the streets.
Lalong maintained that the State Government through the Plateau State Microfinance Development Agency, PLASMIDA has concluded plans to train 10,000 youths in welding and fabrication, tailoring, hairdressing, catering, among others before the end of the current administration.
Earlier in his remarks, a Member of HYPPADEC Governing Council representing the State, Prof. Saleh Mohammed added that, the Commission has started taking action on some of the problems identified in the communities such as; the lack of potable drinking water by sinking solar-powered boreholes across the HYPPADEC States.
