Following the planned protests over the continuous closure of the multipurpose training center at Egbokodo, Warri, some Itsekiri youths under the auspices of Warri Development Vanguard met with Dr. Kingsley Emu, the Honorable commissioner for Economic planning and others in a bid to avert disruption of economic activities in the oil city of Warri.
The commissioner of Economic planning, Dr. Kingsley Emu while highlighting the efforts of the Delta State government following the exit of the partners (UNDP/UNOPs), the State Government initiated steps towards kick starting the re-opening of the multipurpose youths training center, Egbokodo which efforts is geared towards the sustainability of the operations of the Center in line with present economic realities stated that the center is a Niger Delta project.
Giving the background of the multipurpose youths training center, Egbokodo, the Honorable commissioner Economic planning Said, the establishment of the Multi-Purpose Youth Center, Egbokodo, Delta State was a landmark achievement of the first phase of the ‘Niger Delta Job Creation and Conflict Prevention Project’ initially designed as a collaboration between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), SHELL Petroleum Development Company and the governments of Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers State.
The overriding rationale of this project was to address the increasing youth unrest, militancy and incessant conflicts in the Niger Delta region, which arose from several factors, including unemployment, environmental degradation, perceived exploitation, widespread poverty and inadequate skill on the part of the youths of this region.
The project, which became effective in 2006, was therefore aimed at contributing to poverty reduction through job creation and peace building initiatives in the Niger Delta (specifically in the States of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers). The project’s key immediate objectives were;
- Establishment of Functional multi-purpose youth training centers.
- Regular Training in demand driven technical skills.
- Reduced incidence of conflict and improved mind-set.
The early approach was to ensure that existing state owned vocational training facilities are converted into Multi-Purpose Youth Centers, while the Niger Delta militant youth groups including the youth from the immediate surrounding areas will be the target beneficiaries. The multipurpose Youths training centers are designed to proactively engage disillusioned and ex-militant youths in the areas of education, and provide marketable technical skills training and entrepreneurship expertise as a way of re-integrating them back into society. The expectation is that the initiative
will help reduce crime, militia related activities and poverty by providing the beneficiaries with new skills and knowledge that will be highly valued in the local job market.
Furthermore, the multipurpose Youths training center’s will stimulate and respond to the local demands for community development, job creation, recreational activities, access to information, prevention of HIV/AIDs and communication services.
At the inception of the project, the other key partners, SHELL, Rivers and Bayelsa States had declined interest. The project however continued with UNDP and the Delta State Government as key partners and with UNOPS as the key executing agency.
A Multi-Purpose youth Center was established in Egbokodo, Warri in Delta State for the training with state of the art vocational skills equipment. So far, the project has trained more than 300 youths in key trade areas.
The 2009 revision of the ‘Nigeria Delta Job Creation and Conflict Prevention Initiative Project Document emphasized sustainability which therefore required that an ‘exit strategy’ is built into the project to ensure that the multipurpose youths training center’s can, after three years, be sustained by the State though a system of fees for service to employers and the youth. The new project concept was to enhance long-term sustainability of the multipurpose youths training center including building partnerships with government, private business corporations, donor agencies, NGOs and CBOs.
As at closure of the first phase of this project in December, 2016, a total of 300 trainees have graduated from the skills building programme, but the first set 100 utilized the federal government training facility at the Petroleum Training Institute in Warri. The preliminary evaluation shows that more than 80 percent of the total trainees are now potentially engaged either as self-entrepreneurs or as employees of oil companies within the region.
Objectives:
The broad objective of this assignment is to develop a ‘Business Model’ for utilization of the Multipurpose Youth Center, Egbokodo, Delta State to deliver vocational and entrepreneurship training while ensuring long-term sustainability. The business model is expected to cover at least the following five components;
- An Institutional Structure for multipurpose youths training center (including the organizational management structure, staffing and skills set requirement, the nature of relationship to key stakeholders such as private and public institutions)
- An operating model for multipurpose youths training center which will elaborate amongst others; The commercial plan/ guidelines (appropriate costing and pricing for each service provided) Asset/Resources/Tools Requirements, Operating Processes
- A financial model which will include, a business plan and financial analysis including revenue projections, Funding approach, Investment plan
- A service and marketing strategy, which will include; Service Areas (expected customer base and outreach plan), Performance measurement indicators and plan.
- A partnership structure that can provide incentives for private and public entities including development partners and external investors to participate, stating; clear roles and responsibilities and governance process
In order to sustain the multipurpose Youths training center, a sustainable business plan was developed and has been approved by His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, the Governor. The plans entail:
- Re-engagement of Basic Staff.
- Reopening and Commercialization of the Center’s activities
- Development of Modular Courses
- Payment of School fees by students
- Reduction in the running cost of the Center
The State Economic commissioner further submitted that a Contractor was engaged to clean up the Center based on expectation of the visit of the Federal Government N-Power Team. Also assessment for the maintenance of the facility was also carried out. Cleaners have been engaged to clean the center and are paid monthly by the State Government.
Emu further said in a bid to open the center for training activities a meeting was held with Officials of the State Government and United Nations Development Programme in Abuja on July 21, 2017. The outcome of the meeting includes;
- New framework for the Multi-Purpose Youth Center, Egbokodo:
- UNDP is to be represented in the MPYC Board.
- The vision of the Center as a World class and an Internationally recognized Vocational and Technical Education Training Center would be sustained. However, the management would be changed. It is being proposed that a facility Manager to be provided by our technical Partners (UNDP/UNOPs) be engaged and some category of the Staff be gotten via corporate social responsibility initiative or hiring Staff on temporary basis to complement the existing Staff.
- Fees for the beneficiaries of the catchment area would be subsidized but generally Students are expected to pay fees. Donors would be engaged to provide scholarships and private sector organizations would be contacted to provide support and build capacity of Staff and train beneficiaries with the Center facilities as well.
Also, It was agreed that a Business Model for the second phase of the project be developed. UNDP has agreed to fund the development of the Business Model. The terms of reference for the engagement of the Consultant were developed with Delta State government officials. Furthermore, Delta State government officials also came up with a content design, terms of reference in respect of the Business Model which include: - To maintain the standard of the school as laid down by the founding partners.
- To drive down cost as a result of fiscal constraints that has characterized the operations of Government in Nigeria and Delta State inclusive.
- To make the project self-sustainable, the Government will deploy personnel who are already under the employ of the State Government to reduce current costs (personnel and overhead). The government is putting finishing touches to
- To have enough staff in order to maintain the accreditation standard already achieved by the professional body the center is affiliated to.
- To run modular courses that are short – term in nature and are in demand by corporate bodies, government agencies and private sector operatives at a profit.
- To maintain the Center as a center of excellence as envisaged by funding partners.
- To review existing courses with a view to ensuring that they are in sync with what is in demand by the target market as well as establishing entrepreneurs.
- To be open for continuous partnership with multilateral bodies in defined areas like the provision of Center Manager, Facility Manager and other technical areas of assistance in order to sustain standards.
- To sustain linkages with donor partners, similar institutions and promote international exchange programmes to undertake the provision of capacity for staff of the center.
- To facilitate the award of scholarships to deserving recipients in line with the ideals of providing succor to the less privileged.
- To run and manage the operations of the center through state government subvention as already provided in the 2017 budget and technical / financial support from UNDP.
- To put up a governance structure that will incorporate the key partners in major decision-making.
Furthermore, Emu stated that the Committee on re-engagement of Staff headed by the Chairman Civil Service Commission commenced work in August. Interviews were conducted for erstwhile Staff and Public Officers to be deployed to the Center and 14 basic staff from the Public Service has been concluded.
The Gazetting of the Center is ongoing as the Ministry is working with the Ministry of Justice to perfect the Gazette while also waiting on our new partners to include them in the gazette as it is going to be a public private partnership.
Terms of Reference for Development of Business Model for the Utilization of the ‘Multi-Purpose Youth Center, Egbokodo, Warri South, Delta State to deliver Vocational and Entrepreneurial Training.
Deliverables:
The expected output of this assignment is a ‘Business Model’ which encompasses the five key components enumerated above.
Conclusively, Kingsley Emu, stated that the Delta State Government is still on track with present actions being undertaken to reopen the Multi-Purpose Youth Center Egbokodo. All things being equal, the Center can kick start by December 2017 after the deployment of the teaching Staff and training in January 2018 Students can then resume thereafter.
This will also be supported by the introduction of modular programmes that are tailored to meet the needs of the society and the modular programmes are expected to take –off almost immediately after Staff training.
Others in the meeting are, Hon. Vincent Uduaghan (Commissioner for Transport) Hon. Shola William (Commissioner for women affairs and development) Hon Omimi Esq (Political Adviser to the Governor) Michael Tidi (PDP, SA, Media) Toju Ighonmieyetan (SA, Political)
The group was led by the President of Warri development vanguard, Olueh Eddy, Ekengbuda Toju Robinson (Sec. Warri Development Vanguard) Joshua Ghereje (NAIG) Mene-Ejegi Jemi (INYC) Mrs. Juliet Ighonmieyetan (Egbokodo community)
Appreciation.
We commend Hon. Daniel Mayuku for constantly reminding the Delta State government on the need to reopen the center.
The people of Egbokodo community for safe guiding and not vandalizing the facilities at the center.
Hon Omimi Esq, Political Adviser to the Governor for the quick intervention and ensuring the meeting was held with other stakeholders in attendance. Not forgetting Hon. Griftson Omatsuli.
Finally, we thank all our brothers and sisters that showed interest and solidarity which goes to show that with unity of purpose and good leadership, we can achieve our infrastructural needs and yearnings.
