ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
Over 400 beneficiaries are still groaning under anxiety and hardship without their starter packs two years after graduating from various vocational skills training organised by the World Bank-assisted State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR) Project in Bayelsa State.
The benefitting candidates underwent between two and three years training at different centres in the state.
The training centres included Government Science and Technical College, Okaka, and the Government Craft Development Centres in Sagbama, Adagbabiri, Ayakoro, Polaku and Nembe.
They were trained in cosmetology, welding, plumbing, electrical installation, diesel/outboard engine repairs, fashion and designing, catering, hair dressing, computer craft and business education, among others.
FirstNews gathered on Friday that the over N50m worth of starter packs were acquired and handed over to the Bayelsa State Government.
But the starter packs are said to be allegedly kept in some warehouses within the Yenagoa metropolis and some of the items are losing value as a result of exposure to the impact of weather.
Some of the beneficiaries complained in separate interviews that they were frustrated by the delay in the release of the starter packs after attending verification exercises where their hopes were raised.
They complained that the costs of the tools and equipment for their various vocations were exorbitant in the market and they could not afford them.
One of the graduates, Ebi Clement, who trained in hair dressing and cosmetology, said the inability of the state government through the Ministry of Education to give them the starter packs had made things difficult for her.
She said: “I trained at Sagbama for two years, and it has not been easy for me without the starter pack. They (government) promised that they would give us starter packs after the training.
“Since we finished the training, we have been waiting for the government to give us our starter packs, but they have not given us. We cannot buy them in the market because they are very expensive.”
Another beneficiary, Timi Graham, who trained in electrical installation and maintenance, said: “I finished training in 2019. Since we finished the training, we have not received our items of empowerment because they promised they would give us and we were happy.
“They called us for verification last year, they interviewed and asked us questions on our trades and everything was concluded. They said they will give us the items as soon as possible, but till now we have not seen anything.”
The beneficiaries appealed to the government to distribute the starter packs to enable them to practise their trades effectively to better their lives and also be self-reliant.
Investigation at the SEEFOR Project office in Yenagoa, the state capital, indicated that the agency rounded off its activities in the state on September 30, 2020.
When contacted, the Commissioner for Education, Gentle Emelah, said that his ministry was preparing for the ceremony of distribution of the empowerment packages to the beneficiaries.
He added that the approval of the date by Governor Douye Diri was being awaited.