The World Bank has said it will assist the displaced victims of insurgency living in Bauchi State in order to give them sense of belonging.
This was just as it also expressed readiness to partner with Bauchi State government to eradicate the scourges of poverty through a programme known as Youth Employment Support Operation, YESO.
This was disclosed by the World Bank country office sector leader, Professor Folusho Okunmadewa, during a courtesy call on the Bauchi State governor at the Government House, saying the World Bank is worried about the devastating poverty level in the North-East.
As stated by Okunmadewa, the programme will be in three segments, including public world programme, conducting cash transfer and exposing the victims through skill acquisition, with the help government
“World Bank’s decision to target the victims of insurgency followed the current impoverishment in their various camps with the identification of the critical demands for rehabilitations,” he stated.
He said Bauchi State is among the six states earmarked to benefit from the World Bank programme towards eradicating poverty on payment of counterpart funds
The programme, Okunmadewa maintained will be carried out by government agency that has structures, like the agency for youths and women empowerment which are competent to register unemployed youths in the state Speaking earlier, Bauchi State governor, Barr Mohammed Abubakar had expressed delight in the gesture of the World Bank and indicated his administration’s commitment to eradicate poverty in partnership with donor agencies.
Abubakar had lamented that paucity of funds remains major challenge of the government with a promise to prioritise the health and education sectors, attributing their importance to economic development He therefore urged the World Bank to support the state while making case for improve internally generated revenue.