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 visited the National Directorate of Employment, Rivers State chapter.

The youths

During the visit, the representatives of the three youth networks, urged the agency represented by the head of department and other agency staff to strengthen the existing employment and empowerment process to make it more transparent, accountable and Inclusive.

According to the youth  representatives ‘that the system of using filled name registers as basis of engaging the youths should be strengthened and monitored for transparency, accountability and inclusivity.

They went further to urge that the agency should network and collaborate with other state agencies and parastatals to make sure projects are not duplicated and that select youths who have been swindling the agencies by benefitting from the agencies on similar programmes should be fished out. Such practices if left unchecked could work against the aims and goals of each project and the results that the agencies plan to achieve.

They were enjoined to strengthen their monitoring and evaluation framework to make sure it turns out of the systems any practices that could affects the transparency, accountability and inclusivity of each programmes.

The head of department on behalf of his team thanked the youth groups for their efforts and promised that changes recommended will be appropriated periodically. He nonetheless assured the group that his agency has already integrated transparency, accountability and inclusivity into its programmes but promised that they will continue to work to improve the process.

He lauded the youth group for taking up such selfless assignment and asks for cooperation and continuous communication between both body to see that back-hand practice will be eliminated from the Rivers State youth employment and empowerment programme.

The Kpor, Okana and Marine base Youth Leadership Networks finally agreed to work with the ministry to educate the youth on value reorientation to achieve the goal of a transparent, accountable and inclusive youth employment and empowerment programmes in Rivers State.

About CEHRDCEHRD

It 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 .info@cehrd.org.ng

About the Networks:

The Kpor , Okana and Marine Base Youth Leadership Networks was founded in 2014 by the youths of Kpor , Okana and Marine Base communities 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.