Partnership Initiative in the Niger Delta (PIND), an NGO, says it has developed a 30-year development programme for Edo as part of initiative to assist the state to fight irregular migration.
The Advocacy and Analysis Manager of the organisation, Mr Chucks Ofolue, disclosed this in Benin on Thursday.
He said that part of the plan was to train the youths on skills in order for them to be productive and generate income for themselves.
Ofolue said it was part of the development plan that saw to the training and graduation of 200 youths from the state on how to operate, install and maintain small to medium solar PV technology solutions and project management.
PIND works with the government on a macro level, the aim of the development plan, which basically centres on acquiring skills, was to curb peculiar issues relating to youths in Edo, especially irregular migration.
“As part of the programme, those trained will be matched with internship, opportunities and support their business plan,” he said.
He noted that the programme would be in batches, adding the youths will be given a starter pack to go into the business and in turn, become employers of labour in their various skills acquired.
He stressed that “the goal was to promote peace and development in the Niger Delta. We work in the states of the Niger Delta.
“We have four major works in the Niger Delta which include economic development, peace building, advocacy and analysis, and capacity building.”
On the PV technology training, he said that the essence of the training was to provide alternative measure to the problem of electricity in the country due to incessant failure of electricity providers.
According to him, light is very important to human existence and these youths have been trained to be industrious and establish their own businesses to provide solar energy for Nigerians especially in this era of incessant power failure.
“It will keep them from thinking of how to migrate and keep them busy to generate economy thereby contributing their quota to the state revenue,” said the official.
Ofulue explained that PIND foundation has a market development programme to groom the youths on marketing skills to sell their products to the people.
He said that the NGO has been at the forefront of creating and showcasing working technologies that reduce energy consumption, recycle waste and provide alternative to traditional power sources in the Niger Delta region.
PIND was established by Chevron to promote economic development and peace through partnership in the Niger Delta.
The organisation is in partnership with the Skills Development for Youth Employment (SKYE) programme, a four-year programme funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft Fur Internationale Zusammenarbelt (GIZ).
