ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has begun the training of no fewer than 30 persons in environmental beautification in Bayelsa State as part of its programmes to reduce poverty in the state.
The Director General, NDE, Mr Nuhu Fikpo, made this known on Monday at the opening of the training in Yenagoa, saying that the programme was to promote environmental renewal in both urban and rural areas.
The Director General, represented by the Bayelsa Coordinator of the directorate, Mr Aham Osuchukwu, noted that the programme aimed at offering training in aesthetics, protection, ornamentation, finishing and other skills.
Fikpo said that the training was subdivided into three main categories, namely soft, hard landscaping and Plaster of Paris (POP) skill sets.
He explained that soft landscaping included flower gardening, landscape design, raising of nurseries and planting of grasses.
Fikpo said: “Hard landscaping of the training scheme includes production of interlocking stones, bricks, concrete pavings stabs, hard rings and railings, kerbstones, balustrades and POP.”
The DG informed the youths that the skills they were about to acquire were highly sought-after ones, advising them to be serious with their training.
“With the marshy nature of most communities in Bayelsa State, the need for the products of this training cannot be overemphasized hence the trainees should gear up and take hold of the profitable opportunities available to them after the training,” he said.
On her part, Head, Special Public Works, Mrs Felicia Baite, urged the trainees to be humble and obedient to their trainers and uphold the rules and regulations guiding the various workshops to where they would be posted to.
Giving a vote of thanks, one of the trainees, Mr Umanah George, commended the NDE management for the training, promising that he and the other trainees would be of good behaviour during the period of the programme.