Delta receives over $58m in six years, employs 9,515 Youths

A total sum of $58.8 million has been allocated to the State Employment and Expenditure For Result( SEEFOR) in Delta State since it kick-started its implementation in 2013.

Of the amount, the International Development Association (IDA) contributed $41.1 million, European Union $17.7 million while Delta State government complemented with its annual counterparts cash contributions.

The Coordinator of the program in the state, Mr Frank  Akopkwu, at a news conference in Asaba, disclosed that the state government which has paid its counterpart funding of N200m for the current year, listed the agency’s achievement to include providing jobs for over 9,515 youths, awarded 262 roads maintenance and waste management contracts and constructed 12.7 km of roads, ranging from interlocking, concrete pavement to asphalting.

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According to him, about 6.08km of concrete drains were also constructed and 315km of roads were maintained in terms of sweeping, distilling and vegetation control.

Mr Akpodu said 17,430 beneficiaries have been trained under technical, vocational educational and agricultural training institutions funded by the project even as it provided grants to six technical colleges, three vocational centres in Asaba, Ozoro, and Sapele and one agricultural training centre in Songhai, Amukpe.

Under public financial management reforms, he continued, SEEFOR assisted in the establishment of Delta State government public procurement commission, preparation of financial statement of the state, development of fiscal strategy paper since 2016 to date and consultancy for the state board of internal revenue which led to the identification of 370,000 new taxpayers in the state amongst others.

He said though the project was at the final stage of its implementation of activities in all the components in view of its imminent closure in September this year, there is still a lot that could be achieved if a second phase of the project is introduced.

National coordinator of the project, Dr Greg Onu commended Delta for successfully implementing the project in the state.

According to him, ” we have concluded arrangements for SEEFOR high-level retreat scheduled for Benin, Edo State in March, this year where stakeholders in the project will discuss among other things, the need for sustainability of the project because of its tremendous impact on beneficiaries.”