ISOPADEC Empowers 1,700 Youth In Imo

The Imo State Oil Pro
ducing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC), says it has empowered 1,700 youths with N500 million, in the oil producing Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta Local Government Areas of the state.
The Finance Controller of ISOPADEC, Mr Uguchukwu Nwokoma, disclosed this in an interview with newesmen in Owerri recently.
Nwokoma said that the commission granted the 1,700 youths loans amounting to N500 million to enable them to start businesses of their choice.
He said the empowerment of the youths was aimed at preventing militancy in the oil producing area.
“The aim of empowering these youths is to cushion the effects of oil exploration on their land.
“These oil producing areas are often the most neglected developmentally, and often times, the youths express their dissatisfaction with the way they are treated.
Providing jobs for them will serve two purposes, employment and distraction from vices,” he said.
He added that 57 tricycles were also donated to youths of the area for transportation as part of the empowerment programme.
The finance controller commended the Gov. Rochas Okorocha-led administration for propelling the empowerment programme.
He also said that the Maritime University in Osemotor, Oguta Local Government Area, expected to commence academic programmes in 2015, would also provide jobs for the people of the area.