NYEP Receives $65million Support From World Bank

The World Bank has released $65 million to the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) to support the implementation of its modules.

Currently, a technical team of the bank is in the country to access the extent of preparedness of the NYEP for subsequent release of the money in September this year.

The National Co-ordinator of the programme, Mr Abuga Pele, announced this when he received 14 new tipper trucks and road maintenance equipment acquired by the Zeera Group, a private road and building construction firm.

He was optimistic that the purchase of the new equipment would help resource the workers to perform creditably and urged all stakeholders in the road maintenance module to put in their best.

The new equipment is expected to boost the NYEP’s operations towards ensuring that roads are motorable throughout the current rainy season. The road maintenance module, a private-public partnership initiative operating under the NYEP, in collaboration with the Zeera Group, has so far employed over 10,000 youth across the country who are actively engaged in the management of roads to ensure safe transportation.

Established by the government as one of its job creation initiatives, the module has already chalked up some remarkable successes in keeping a number of roads in good shape.

Mr Pele said the programme would commence with the rolling out of more modules, in addition to the 16 currently in motion. He announced that all arrears owed the beneficiaries had been paid up to February, adding that the rest would be paid by the close of next month.

He denied media reports that the government had rolled out GH¢7 million to the Zeera Group to advertise the government’s better Ghana agenda, adding that there was no such payment to any individual or group.

With the module operating in almost all the regions, its beneficiaries are tasked to undertake intensive maintenance of roads, particularly filling potholes, de-silting drainages, clearing bushes at roadsides and alerting roads and highways authorities to works required on the roads.

Mr Pele said his outfit was happy with the progress of the road maintenance module, adding that the acquisition of more equipment was laudable because road maintenance operations had to be enhanced, especially with the onset of the rains.

He gave an assurance that the NYEP would continue to support the execution of the road maintenance module and promised to fully collaborate with the Zeera Group to address all emerging challenges confronting the programme.

That, he said, would ensure that the module had a positive impact on efforts at sustainable job creation and translate into savings from the high cost of road maintenance and lead to a reduction in road accidents.
Source: Daily Graphic