ACHEIVEMENTS OF OKOWA ADMINISTRATION UNDER THE JOB CREATION SCHEME

The job creation scheme is being implemented in four kinds:

Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP);

Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP);

Graduate Employment Enhancement Programme (GEEP); and

Special programme on skills acquisition and empowerment for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).

NUMBER AND COVERAGE OF BENEFICIARIES

Two years after the launch of the job creation scheme, the state is already harvesting its fruits. A total of
two thousand three hundred and twenty four (2,324) unemployed youths have been transformed into
owners of business enterprises, self-employed individuals and employers of labour. This total includes
one thousand six hundred and eighty seven (1,687) STEPreneurs, six hundred and eighteen (618)
YAGEPreneurs and nineteen (19) beneficiaries of the Graduate Employment Enhancement Programme
(GEEP).

In line with His Excellency, the Governor’s principle of inclusiveness, STEP and YAGEP beneficiaries
comprise males 64% and females 36% and include fifty one (51) Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).

TYPES OF STEP & YAGEP ENTERPRISES

The STEP enterprises include the following: Decoration and Event Management, Catering and
Confectionary, Hair Dressing, Makeover and Cosmetology, Fashion Design & Tailoring, Electrical
Installation (including solar power), Welding and Fabrication, Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs), Audio-Visual Services, Plumbing, Tiling, Interlocking, Block Molding and Upholstery.
On the other hand, the YAGEP enterprises include Fish Production, Piggery, Crop Production (Rice,
Cassava and Vegetables) and Poultry.

HUGE IMPACTS ON UNEMPLOYED YOUTHS

Today, thanks to the vision, leadership and unwavering commitment of His Excellency, Senator Dr.
Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State, the entrepreneurial landscape of the state is now dotted with
vibrant, innovative and well-motivated educated youths actively and gainfully engaged in their
enterprises. Many STEPreneurs and YAGEPreneurs bear various testimonies of life-changing and
dramatic personal impacts of the job creation programmes.

Beyond the phenomenal turn-around in their economic and social circumstances, many of them are
progressing their businesses on many fronts, including as trainers in their respective vocational skills and
having products/services that compete well in markets outside the state. There are numerous cases of
previously employed youths who, through the job creation scheme, have rediscovered themselves and
are happily deploying their vocational skills as productive economic agents.

HUGE IMPACTS OF THE PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING SUPPORT PROGRAMME (PPSP)

More than one thousand five hundred (1,500) farmers and agro-processors have been directly impacted
upon through the support provided under the PPSP. They include cassava farmers, poultry farmers,
tomato farmers, pig farmers, fish farmers, cassava processors and oil palm processors. The programme
has also had significant impact on the use of tractors with implements in the state, following the soft
lease and provision of sixty four (64) tractors with implements for farmers’ cooperatives and farm
establishments throughout the state. Before the programme started, there was not more than 2
tractors supported by the state government.

YAGEP FARM CLUSTERS ARE TRANSFORMING THE AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY OF THE STATE

The development of YAGEP farm clusters for poultry, piggery, fish production and crop production have
transformed the agricultural landscape of the state.

From inception to date, a total of twenty five (25) YAGEP farm clusters (crop, livestock and aquaculture)
have been developed and are operational throughout the state. These clusters are now significant
agricultural growth poles for greater use of more efficient farm inputs and new technologies,
enhancement of agricultural productivity and incomes and development of the agricultural value chain
in the state.