NDE distributes environmental equipment to 26 beneficiaries in Imo

<p>The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has disbursed equipment and tools worth millions of naira to 26 beneficiaries of the Environmental Beautification Training Scheme (EBTS) under the Special Public Works (SPW) department in Imo State.</p>, <p>Some of the equipment distributed includes headpans, wheelbarrows, water pumps, trowels, and shovels, among others.</p>, <p>Handing over the equipment to the beneficiaries at the NDE office in Owerri, the Director-General of NDE, Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, said that the beneficiaries have been trained by the directorate on a series of high-demand and money-making skills in society.</p>, <p>Fikpo, represented by the State Coordinator of NDE, Barr. Chisara Eqwim-Chima explained that the equipment and training would help them become financially self-reliant in line with the mandate of the directorate.</p>, <p>He said that NDE decided to provide equipment to the beneficiaries rather than money, especially when it was discovered that the beneficiaries failed to use the money for the actual purpose for which it was meant.</p>, <p>He advised them to demonstrate a high sense of commitment to ensure that the effort of the Federal Government through NDE on job creation and employment generation is visibly fulfilled.</p>, <p>He advised the beneficiaries to remain committed and dedicated to their work to improve their economic status and create employment opportunities for others in society, thereby reducing the burden of unemployment.</p>, <p>Fikpo pointed out that NDE has worked hard in collaboration with the Department of Special Public Works SPC to ensure that the program reaches unemployed youths in the country.</p>, <p>Addressing the beneficiaries, the Director of Special Public Works SPC, NDE Abuja, Mrs Olaomi R. Silvia, urged the 26 beneficiaries to consider themselves lucky to have been selected out of 30 participants.</p>, <p>Mrs Silvia, represented by Mr Idris Muhmood of NDE Abuja, said that the essence of empowerment is to take them out of the unemployment circl