SEEFOR engages 42,000 Delta youths

Jacks Up State’s IGR By 12%

Delta State government, in collaboration with the World Bank and European Union (EU), has engaged over 40,000 youths, thus growing its internally generated revenue (IGR) by 12.36 percent through the State Employment and Expenditure For Results (SEEFOR) under the Ministry of Economic Planning.

SEEFOR, an international intervention agency packaged to engage idle youths since 2012, to curb militancy in the region, has helped in building a peaceful working environment and empowering rural residents in the oil rich region. It is also domiciled in Edo, Bayelsa and Rivers states.

The SEEFOR National Project Coordinator in the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Dr. Greg Onu; and State Coordinator, Frank Akpokwu, during a media briefing on challenges, achievements and future of SEEFOR, in Asaba on Thursday, said the pilot phase, which ended in September was a success story, and that they were ready for the financiers’ nod for the second phase.

“SEEFOR projects commenced in April 2012, but was declared effective from July 1, 2013 by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors. It is jointly funded by the World Bank through a concessioning loan of $200 million and EU grant of $78.4 million, which brings into focus the synergy between the Federal Government, the EU, World Bank and the participating states that have been strengthened by SEEFOR.”

“There is a coordinating body at the national and state levels that is ensuring effective delivery of projects,” Onu explained.Earlier in his remarks, Akpokwu had noted that the project, which effectively commenced in the state in 2013, was designed to run for five years.

“However, several exigencies and developments necessitated two extensions of the project beyond the initial period.“The total funds allocation to Delta for SEEFOR projects in the period under review is $58.8 million, comprising the International Development Association (ADA) credit of $41.1 million and EU’s grant of $17.7 million, which is complemented by an annual state government’s counterpart cash contributions.”