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The Delta State Government has said it plans to increase its youths empowerment programmes in 2024.
The State’s Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Isaac Agbateyiniro, stated this on Tuesday in Asaba when he appeared before the House Committee on Youths and Sports Development to defend the ministry’s 2024 budget.
Agbateyiniro highlighted some of the programmes to include the ”MORE Youth Development E7 and the youth Development resource centers.
He said that the ”MORE Youth Development E7”, had seven pillers which stood for education, entrepreneurship, employability, engagement, exchange and collaboration, easing all forms of crimes and social vices and entertainment.
Agbateyiniro also said that the ministry had proposed N1.9 billion as its Capital and non regular overhead.
”It is my appeal that serious consideration be given to the proposed budget to enable the ministry achieve its objective for the year 2024.
”The future of our state is in the hands of the youths, hence priority attention should be given to their needs,” he said.
Responding, the Chairman of the Committee, Mr Emmanuel Sinibe, commended the ministry for its track record of meaningful engagement of youths and other development.
He called for sustained synergy between the ministry and the committee.
The Chairman expressed displeasure over increasing neglect on sport facilities in the state, by the State Sports Commission.
He said this when officials of the commission appeared before the committee for the defence of the 2024 budget.
Sinebe decried the bad state of some of the state-owned township stadia, particularly the Warri township stadium, among others, saying that they were all in bad shape irrespective of the huge budgetary allocation in the previous years.
He said that the committee was ready to put the commission on its toes by ensuring regular oversight of the activities of the commission.
“There is no need hiding the truth, this committee is not happy with you because, you are not doing well.
“We want a change of character and attitude within this commission. Our relationship with you is not cordial.
“In the year 2024, we are going to scale up our oversight function because the relationship between the committee and the commission is not cordial.
”Prepare for us, we are coming. Just go back and pray,” he said.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Commission, Mr Christopher Anazie who led members of the commission on the budget defence said that the commission was working assiduously to ensure sustainable development in the state sports sector.
Anazie, while giving a detailed breakdown of the commission’s 2024 budget said that efforts were on to ensure that the State maintained its leading position in sports development.