YOUTH GROUPS URGE RIVERS GOVT. TO COLLABORATE WITH YOUTH ON EMPLOYMENT, EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMMES FOR TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY

By Our Correspondent

The Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD), Kpor, Okana and Marine Base Youth Leadership Networks in line with its resolve towards accountability of government to the people and the youths and working to reduce youth unemployment in Rivers state went on air on WAZOBIA FM to discuss need for partnership and collaboration among youth employment and empowerment agencies in the Rivers state for effective design and implementation.

During the Live Radio show at Wazobia on 2nd June 2016 the representatives of Marine base youth network, urged the Rivers State government, ministries and agencies, to collaborate in the design, implementation and monitoring of employment and empowerment programmes to make it more transparent, accountable and Inclusive.

Speaking during the show, the secretary, Kpor Youth Leadership Network, Barikpe Popnwin said that the system of designing and implementing programmes in isolation can only continue to encourage corruption, duplication of programmes and unwholesome practices.

The Youths urged Heads and Employment committee chairmen of different youth related ministries, parastatals, agencies and organisations to make sure they build collaboration and create wide publicity on available opportunities and monitor selection process against set criteria developed by the ministries, parastatals and agencies. The group also asked that provision should be made for the physically challenged and the marginalized as well as equal representation for both male and female youth members. If employed, it will go a long way to strengthen recruitment and empowerment processes thereby ensuring that everyone is given equal opportunity and as well eliminate corruption in the system.

The radio talk shows and call in discussion programmes publicised and raised awareness by sensitizing and drawing public attention to the lack of collaboration, transparency, accountability and inclusivity in the design and delivery of youth employment and empowerment programmes in Rivers State.

The radio programme recorded a large call in and public participation. CEHRD believes that a citizen’s driven action through public sensitization and awareness through the media is important to the process of eradicating corruption and opacity in the design and delivery of youth employment and empowerment programmes in Rivers State.

About CEHRD

CEHRD is a non-governmental organisation with its head office in 19 Okomoko Street, D/Line, Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital and branch office in the Ogale community in the Eleme Local Government Area (LGA). CEHRD was founded on 15th August, 1999. The organisation works in the areas of human and environmental rights, conservation and community development. For more information, please check. www.cehrd.org.ng.

About the Networks

The Okana, Kpor and Marine Base Youth Leadership Network was founded in 2014 by the youths of Okana, Kpor and Marine Base community through Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development with funding from Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme, NSRP to carry out enlightenment campaign within the community on the importance of using non-violent actions in the demand for economic opportunities for the youths, enlighten communities on how to key into ongoing or upcoming employment and empowerment programmes, advocate for an equitable distribution of government programmes within the community, L.G.A and senatorial district irrespective of age, gender, status, caste, educational background or disabilities and religious and political affiliation and actively pursue economic opportunities for members both within the network and in the community.