Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa, on Thursday, announced a monthly empowerment scheme for the people of the state.
Diri made the announcement at an interactive session with secondary school students, women and beneficiaries of the state’s higher education loan scheme, in Yenagoa.
The governor said that the initiative was meant to develop small businesses in order to grow the state economy.
The interaction was part of activities marking the second anniversary of the Diri-led administration.
The governor had earlier met with youth leaders from across the eight local government areas of the state at Peace Park.
He described the scheme as a sure way of bringing to fruition his promise of prosperity to the doorsteps of Bayelsa people.
He said: “We want our people to go into business. I hereby direct a monthly empowerment across our state.
“So, every month, we will have new set of people to be empowered for the rest of our tenure.
“The commissioner for finance is directed to set aside the amount worked out on monthly basis for this scheme.
“There was no mistake in tagging this administration `Prosperity Government’. We are bringing prosperity to our people’s doorsteps.’’
The governor urged the pioneer beneficiaries of the scheme to make good use of the opportunity, assuring that his government would sustain it.
Diri directed the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment and other relevant organs of government to organise an economic summit for the state, having earlier held education and health summits.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development, Mrs Faith Opuene, had said the 210 initial beneficiaries were carefully selected, comprising two each from the 105 wards in the state.
Two of the beneficiaries of the students’ loan, Obah Azibator from Federal University, Otuoke, and Stanley Oyinkeprebi of Niger Delta University, Amassoma, thanked the governor for alleviating their plight.
Speaking earlier at Peace Park, Diri urged youths in the state to desist from criminal activities and engage in legitimate businesses.
He said that his administration placed priority on youth empowerment because, without their capacity, the infrastructure development it embarked on would not make the expected impact on the people.
The governor also advised them to stop illegal oil bunkering, as it polluted the environment and affected people’s health negatively.
The governor, however, commended the youth for their support and peaceful disposition, saying “I know that Ijaw youths and, indeed, the entire Bayelsa youths, are resilient and respectful to elders.
“Our youths are brought up with values to be free and fend for themselves through legitimate ways to earn a living.
“Our youths want the best in education and are very intelligent. Our youths can compete favourably with their counterparts around the world academically. That is why they come out in flying colours.
“We need to continue to encourage our sisters and brothers to move away from crime and illegal businesses, such oil bunkering and criminality.
“We urge you to key into our various empowerment programmes, and I believe that if we work together, Bayelsa will be a better place and one of the most developed states in Nigeria,’’ he said.
In their goodwill messages, youth leaders thanked the governor for the various initiatives, aimed at empowering them.