Youth group urges government, private enterprises to ensure transparency in youth employment, empowerment programmes

The Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD), Kpor, Okana and Marine Base Youth Leadership Networks in line with its resolve towards accountability of government to the people and the youths and working to reduce youth unemployment in Rivers state paid an advocacy visit to Japaul Oil Nigeria Limited in Marine base, Rivers State.

During the visit on Friday 4^th  December 2015, the representatives of Marine base youth network, urged the company represented by the Chairman, Employment committee and community Liaison officer, to improve the existing employment and empowerment process to make it more transparent, accountable and Inclusive. 

Speaking during the visit, the Chairman Marine base Youth Leadership Network, Ebelo Waribo said that the system of asking youth chairmen to nominate community youth members for empowerment may continue to encourage corruption and unwholesome practices.  

The CEHRD programme Officer for the project, Mr Michael Chidozie urged the Employment Committee Chairman to make sure his committee creates wide publicity on available opportunities and monitor selection process against set criteria developed
the company. The group also asked that provision should be made for the physically challenged and the marginalized as well as equal representation for both male and female youth members. If employed, it will go a long way to strengthen recruitment and empowerment processes thereby ensuring that everyone is given equal opportunity and as well eliminate corruption in the system. 

The Community Liaison Officer on behalf of his team thanked the youth group for their advocacy visit and promised that changes recommended will be appropriated periodically. He nonetheless assures the group that his agency has already been working in the direction of transparency, accountability and inclusivity in the design and implementation of its employment and empowerment programme, and assured the youth group that they will continue to work to strengthen the process. He pledges his support and cooperation to flush out corruption from the process.

About CEHRD

CEHRD is a non-governmental organisation with its head office in 19 Okomoko Street, D/Line, Port Harcourt, Rivers State Capital and branch office in the Ogale community in the Eleme Local Government Area (LGA). CEHRD was founded on 15th August, 1999. The organisation works in the areas of human and environmental rights, conservation and community development. For more information, please check. www.cehrd.org.ng.

About the Networks

The Marine Base Youth Leadership Network was founded in 2014 by the youths of Marine Base community through Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development with funding from Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme, NSRP to carry out enlightenment campaign within the community on the importance of using non-violent actions in the demand for economic opportunities for the youths, enlighten communities on how to key into ongoing or upcoming employment and empowerment programmes, advocate for an equitable distribution of government programmes within the community, Local Government Area and Senatorial district irrespective of age, gender, status, caste, educational background or disabilities and religious and political affiliation and actively pursue economic opportunities for members both within the network and in the community.

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