The Presidency has unveiled a plan to employ 208,000 youths in Niger Delta with a view to curtailing restiveness in the oil-producing region.

The spokesman of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Laolu Akande, in a statement yesterday said this was disclosed at a meeting of the Niger Delta Inter-Ministerial Committee presided over by his boss at the State House in Abuja on Friday.

Akande said the Niger Delta Development Commission had established “job placement centres which are expected to engage about 208,000 youths in the Niger Delta. To help reduce unemployment and youth restiveness in the region, the NDDC centre would match existing vacancies with available skills within the region.”

He said the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation project was set to commence the procurement process for contracting experts for the remediation and clean-up of Ogoni land.

“This process is open to competent national and international companies involved in environment, water and livelihood projects. In the same vein, the final draft of the Strategic Implementation Work Plan (SIWP), which provides a framework for the development of the Niger Delta, was also submitted to the committee,” he said.

He said the meeting was also briefed on the progress of the modular refineries. “One set of modular refinery package shipment has since arrived Nigeria, and after undergoing clearance at customs, would be installed in Delta State; while another set, which is expected to arrive the country in April this year, would be installed in Rivers State.

“The operation of the modular refineries would include the involvement of communities where they are located. Prof. Osinbajo said this would ensure that communities benefit directly from the refineries which would help create jobs and engage youths in the region.”

Akande also stated that the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State, was set to commence the admission of students for the 2017/2018 academic year and start lectures next month. (Daily Trust)

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