*PHALGA PRESS RELEASE*
_25th July 2022_
*SIR Allwell Ihunda VISITS TRAINING CENTERS OF THE 2ND BATCH OF THE PORT HARCOURT CITY LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENTREPRENEURSHIP, TRADES AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME*
_Reaffirms his commitment to continue the programme._
Determined to improve the living standards of the people of Port Harcourt City, especially the youths, Mayor of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Sir Allwell Ihunda today, visited training centres of the 2nd batch of the Port Harcourt City Local Government entrepreneurship,trades & skills development programme, currently ongoing.
Sir Allwell Ihunda elated at the standard obtainable in the various training centers, advised the trainees to take advantage of the opportunity and make good use of the acquired knowledge not just to be employable but also to be employers of labour.
“We are here to meet and interract with you in a view to finding out how you are fairing, understand your challenges and ensure that you’re taking the training seriously.
As a Local Government, we are ready and prepared in our resolve to priotise the welfare and wellbeing of our youths, hence we have made huge investments in this programme.” The Mayor said.
At one of the training centers in the Capt Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, the Mayor and his entourage made a brief stopover at the office of the Rector of the institution, Eze Dr. Sam Kalagbor to appreciate him for the collaboration and partnership of the Institution towards the success of the programme.
In his address to the Rector, Sir Allwell Ihunda re-emphasised his determination to continue the programme inline with his administation’s target to train over 5000 youths and women before the expiration of the administration.
“We decided to take out time today to visit the various centers where our people are undergoing training in different skills hence our visit here”.
We want to thank you first for accepting to train our youths, and for the collaboration and partnership that is existing between our administration and your institution, and to ensure you that the partnership will continue because we are encouraged with what we have seen.
As soon as the 2nd batch is concluded, we will immediately commence the 3rd batch so as to reduce as much as possible, the number of our youths in search of jobs which are difficult to come by these days.”
Responding, the Rector of the Capt Elechi Amadi Polytechnic Dr. Sam Kalagbor who warmly welcomed the Mayor and his entourage, expressed pleasure of the management, staff and students of the Polytechnic in partnering with the Port Harcourt City Local Government Council.
“For the purposes of emphasis, part of the reasons for the establishment of Polytechnics is to enhance access to skills, technical and vocational education. So in your decision to ensure that youths are taken off the streets, empowered, equipped and not dependent on industries, both in the private and public sectors for means of livelihood; you have indeed done very well.”
“I believe that this is also a fulfilment of some of the promises made during your campaigns.
We want to assure you that we will do our best to fulfil our own part of the bargain, and also explore other un-captured areas in subsequent batches.”
Speaking on behalf of the trainees, Mr. Grant Saro Ikodeme of the Refrigeration / Air Conditioning training center thanked the Mayor for the wonderful opportunity and effort in ensuring better life for youths in Port Harcourt.
He acknowledged that, the knowledge impacted in them so far is enough to enable them become self dependent, and looked forward to being awarded certificates at the expiration of the training.
Recall that 200 youths and women graduated from the first batch of the Port Harcourt City Local Government Entrepreneurship,Trades and Skills Development Programme, while another 370 are currently undergoing training in the second batch.
Some of the training centers the Mayor visited today includes;
The Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Computer,GSM phone repair & maintenance center, Scaffolding,crane and heavy duty equipment operation,shoe making, fashion design, pipeline & structural welding, ICT.
Signed:
Bob Abayomi II ,
Chief Press Secretary, Port Harcourt City Local Government.
