FG Plans 58 Acquisition Centres For Women

As part of measures to equip local women with economic skills at the grassroots, the Federal Government plans to construct about 58 Skills Acquisition Centres across the country.

Minister of Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Iyom Josephine Anenih gave the hint at the just concluded 13th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Women and Social Development held  in Port Harcourt Wednesday.

Already, she said her ministry has called for tenders as provided in the 2010 Appropriated Projects to ensure that it delivers the centres on good time.

She added that the Ministry has also concluded arrangements to provide loans for the Women Fund for Economic Empowerment (WOFEE) and the Business and Development Fund for Women (BUDFOW).

Mrs Anenih disclosed that beneficiaries would have to access the funds based on previous performance adding that the operational modalities are being redesigned to ensure that those who qualify for the scheme are not denied.

On what the Ministry was doing to address the plight of orphans, vulnerable children and disabled people, she stated that about 28,880 Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) would  be established across the 36 states including the Federal Capital Territory.

The Women Affairs Minister also said that plans are underway to conduct a National Baseline Survey on Persons with Disabilities.

Already she said the ministry has commenced talks with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), as a similar exercise targeting Children with Disabilities (CWDs) in the country was ongoing with support from the United Nation’s Children Emrgecny Fund (UNICEF).

According to her, government has inaugurated a committee to work out modalities for the upgradement of the School of Social Work , Emene and its subsequent conversion to a full parastatal.

Similarly, she noted that the  National Centre for Women Development would be restructured, “Already the Bill for the process is before the National Assembly and we are hopeful before the expiration of the current Assembly, the Bill would have been passed”, she assured.