Delta State Government has disbursed N9 million to 45 youth organisations in the state, saying it was their annual subvention for 2011.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan at the ceremony in Asaba, said the financial gesture was government’s appreciation of the services they were rendering to the society.

Uduaghan was represented by his Special Duties Commissioner, Mr Chris Onogba,.

He expressed the hope that the funds would encourage the groups to embark on more meaningful programmes that would impact positively on their lives and the entire community.

The governor commended the organisations for their various initiatives and charged them to sustain their efforts.

He promised that the government would continue to partner with organisations whose activities and programmes were in tandem with its agenda.

Uduaghan urged them to support the government by promoting peace and unity in the state.

“You should be focused and not allow yourselves to be distracted by divisive elements which could mislead you.”

He warned that government would distance itself from groups involved in social vices, adding that time had come for people to appreciate the need for order in the society.

The Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Ebifa Ijomah, commended the government for increasing the subvention to the organisations from N100,000 to N200,000.

Ijomah lauded the government for its commitment to providing an enabling environment for the empowerment of youths and advised them to utilise the programmes at the various skills acquisitions centres in the state.

“The state government has also established poverty alleviation programmes and others aimed at empowering the youths and making them productive.”