Bayelsa: Unemployed Youths Get N4.2 Million Loan From NDE

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has disbursed a N100,000 loan each to 42 youths in Bayelsa State to embark on sustainable agricultural development.

Abubakar Fikpo, the Director-General of NDE, who spoke during the inauguration on Friday in Yenagoa, commended the beneficiaries for their determination drive throughout the training which lasted for four months.

Aham Osuchuckwu, the State Coordinator of NDE, who represented Fikpo, said the beneficiaries will be granted a soft loan of N100,000 each at an interest rate of nine percent under the 50 per cent capital budget released for the 2022 financial year.

He said that the beneficiaries cut across the eight Local Government Areas of Bayelsa and the training accommodated every stratum of persons in the society.

“The SADTS gave rise to four employment creation schemes of Agricultural Enhancement Scheme (AES); seven persons benefited while Graduate Agricultural Empowerment Scheme (GAES) 11 persons benefited.

“Sustainable Agricultural Development Empowerment Scheme (SADES), 15 people benefited and Community Based Agricultural Empowerment Scheme (CBAES) nine persons benefited,” he said.

According to him, the aim of the inauguration was to orient the beneficiaries to make efficient and effective investments in loan packages in the various spheres of agriculture and its value chain, adding that it is also part of the Federal Government’s effort to curb unemployment prevalent in the society.