Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, on Monday, inaugurated the Bayelsa Volunteers Scheme, with a charge on the beneficiaries to complement the efforts of security agents to check criminal activities in their localities.
Dickson, who gave the charge at the secretariat of the Volunteer Scheme in Yenagoa, emphasized that their primary responsibility was to collate community-based intelligence on criminal acts such as kidnapping and cultism.
He urged the youths to liaise with the Coordinator of the scheme, Chief Superintendent of Police Emmanuel Asufi Idowu and Secretary, Mr. Felix Bonny Ayah as timely and correct information is key in assisting security agencies take proactive measures.
The Governor, who described the volunteers as ambassadors of his Restoration Government, lauded them for their loyalty, steadfastness and peaceful disposition, which he said have contributed to the stability in the state.
He explained that the scheme was established to provide some form of social security for the volunteers whose membership were drawn from the eight local government areas of the state until they could find gainful employment.
Dickson advised the youths to be wary of the antics of those who would want to destabilize the polity for their parochial interests.
“I know that you carried a rigorous recruitment process out of which you have selected 3000 youths who are localized in their communities.
“Let me use this opportunity to state the sole purpose for this scheme, which is for the empowerment of youths, is also meant to give welfare support for youths until they find their feet.
“From this volunteer scheme, we expect you to rise up and become entrepreneurs; set up your own business with our support. We also expect you to find other useful jobs to grow and once you get that done, others will take your place,” he said.
In an address, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Chief Collins Cocodia, said 988 youths of the state have so far received training in various fields, ranging from pipeline welding, solar energy, as well as 115 youths in the oil and gas industry.
Also speaking, the State Coordinator of the Bayelsa Volunteer Scheme, CSP Emmanuel Asufi Idowu, noted that the government has released N46 million for the payment of allowances of the beneficiaries of the scheme.
Responding, one of the beneficiaries of the scheme, Mr. Collins Talent, who spoke on behalf of others, lauded Governor Dickson for his friendly disposition to the well-being of youths in the state and pledged their support to the state government.
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