From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina
The Katsina state government is to commence the training of 1,000 youths on entrepreneurship to reduce unemployment problems in the state.
Alhaji Mustapha Mahmud Kanti Bello, the state Commissioner for Rural Development disclosed this during a press briefing yesterday inKatsina.
Mustapha said arrangements are ongoing to link the beneficiaries with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and other financial institutions to enable them access loans to set up businesses of their choice.
The Commissioner noted that a pilot programme introduced by his ministry known as Rural Infrastructure and Economic Revitalization scheme would also boost economic activities amongst youths in the state.
He further revealed that the ministry had received a grant of N200 million from a Kano based foundation to boost water supply and improve health care services in the rural areas.
According to him, part of the money would be spent on the construction of new boreholes and rehabilitation of existing ones.
“Already the ministry had contacted the state Rural Water Supply agency, RUWASSA, to identify critical areas in need of these services to commence work”.
Similarly, he said the ministry had contacted other government, private and donor organizations to assist towards the successful implementation of the programme.
Mustapha concluded that the programme when started would cover four key components meant to develop the rural areas and reduce poverty.
