GOV DICKSON EXPRESSES WORRY OVER HIGH RATE OF UNEMPLOYMENT, NON CHALLANT ATTITUDE OF BAYELSA YOUTHS

BY PHILIP EKE, YENAGOA

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa state has noted with regret, the increasing rate of unemployment around the world, with an assurance that, his administration will not relent in current efforts at creating jobs for the teeming youths of the state.

Describing unemployment as a global phenomenon, the Governor, argued that, the restoration government in the state has employed more Bayelsa youths than many other governments, stressing that, about 200 forestry guards from different local government areas have recently been engaged on the basis of equal representation.

According to the Governor, in order to reduce the level of unemployment in the state, the Government also took the bold step to appoint a number of youths into positions of trust, besides the recent recruitment of 100 graduates and 1,000 non graduates into the Bayelsa Volunteers scheme.

Governor Dickson, who was addressing the press in Government House, disclosed that, he has also authorized the employment of science teachers to fast track and enhance the teaching of science subjects in all schools across the state.

“There are some employments we have authorized and let me assure you that we have employed more youths than a lot of governments have done. Do you know that, we have employed over 200 on the basis of equality of local governments? That is what I always insist on, when doing something”. “Do you know we have authorized the employment of all science teachers? Do you know also that, 100 graduates and 1,000 non graduates have been included in the state Volunteer scheme?”

“Do you know the number of young people, youths like you, who have been appointed deliberately into one office or the other to reduce unemployment and we shall do more”

Restating government’s commitment to creating jobs, Governor Dickson pointed out that, the situation is even more challenging for states like Lagos and Kano with populations of about 15 million, stressing that, the problem of unemployment is aggravated by the dwindling resources of the state and the over-bloated wage bill of the State.

He, however, declared his administration’s intention to fight poverty and unemployment in collaboration with youths by creating wealth through agriculture and investments in  other relevant sectors of the state’s economy.

The Bayelsa State chief executive, who lamented the non-challant attitude of a majority of the youths, noted with dismay, the near absence of Bayelsa youths at most of the construction sites around the State, as nearly all the menial jobs, that do not require special skills are done by outsiders.

He said, as the custodian of the resources of the State, he owes the people a duty to ensure that, the resources are meticulously and justifiably spent in the overall interest of the people, adding that Government plans to collaborate with the private sector, especially NGOs’ to create a Direct Labour Agency, as a platform to engage enterprising youths.