That Katsina youth empowerment may endure

Apart from the fact that the vehicles distributed provided over 1,000 employments for people across the state, the trucks have also been assisting in facilitating the development of the rural areas. For instance, Gov Shema through the Ministry for local government affairs, specifically directed through a memo to the caretaker committee chairmen of the state […]

Apart from the fact that the vehicles distributed provided over 1,000 employments for people across the state, the trucks have also been assisting in facilitating the development of the rural areas. For instance, Gov Shema through the Ministry for local government affairs, specifically directed through a memo to the caretaker committee chairmen of the state 34 local councils, to ensure that the three water tankers purchased for each local government area are used to supply water daily to the rural areas that are yet to have access to tap water. This is to complement the state government effort of providing bore holes in rural areas of the state.

The idea of providing refuse collection trucks for all the local government areas in the state is unique. It is a total departure from the trend in other states in Nigeria. The common practice in the country is for the government to concentrate sanitation efforts to only the major cities, while the rural areas are being neglected.

It is also interesting to note that the 34 fire fighting vehicles distributed to the local governments have generated employments for over 700 people across the state. The analysis shows that each fire fighting vehicle will has 21 staff running three shifts. There will be seven officials per shift comprising one driver and six personnel.

Other vehicles like rollers and graders purchased are to assist the local councils in construction and rehabilitation of rural feeder roads. In addition to this, the equipments are also to be used in construction of earth dams.

Similarly in the month of April, Governor Shema launched youths empowerment scheme for petty traders and artisans across the state. According to the governor, the scheme will enable over 200 youths in each local government area to have access to interest free loan on monthly basis for the next three months. Within this three months period, over 25,000 youths including men and women would have access to loans to support their trades and crafts.

The government is expected to spend over N300 million in this three month scheme. There is need for other stakeholders to take a look at the development going on in Katsina State, and urge other public office holders to emulate the Katsina State. Nigerians can no longer afford to be paying lip service to good governance. There is a need for total commitment and dedication from people holding public trust for total emancipation of the people.

Also in April, the state youths craft village graduated over 500 youths trained in different crafts. Apart from providing the training and feeding free during the period of training at the village, Governor Shema also approved the release of funds to serve as operating  capital for the graduates.

All the public primary and secondary schools in the state are tuition free. Virtually, in all the public secondary schools in the state, accommodation is provided for the staff most especially those that are posted to remote areas of the state. Both the state indigenes and non-indigenes are beneficiaries of free education. The government pays WAEC and NECO fees. This is also in addition to the school bus services that were provided by the state government to alleviate the plight of the pupils as regards transportation.

Similarly, youths are being sponsored for professional courses outside the country. Some of the youths that were sponsored for technical training in welding are already working with multi-national organizations both within and outside the country. There is no doubt about the fact that since the year 2007, the state government has been playing a crucial role in providing employment opportunities for the skilled youths in Katsina State.

Recently, the state government upgraded the department of Resource Development to Ministry of Resource Development with focus on how to harness the potential of the high quantity of mineral deposits in the state and translate it into development. The question is, can this tempo be sustained?

Lawal Rimi wrote from Rimi Local Government Area, Katsina State