Samuel Oyadongha
28 November 2012, Sweetcrude, Yenagoa – The Anglo-Dutch oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) yesterday said it has so far trained over 5000 women and young girls in Niger Delta in enterprise development and management under its LiveWire programme.
SPDC Managing Director and Country Chair, Mr. Mutiu Sumonu disclosed this in Yenagoa on the occasion of the graduation ceremony of Gbarain Ekpetiama youth training and enterprise development programme for 100 women in Bayelsa State.
The beneficiaries were drawn from the company’s host communities of Agbia, Asaigbene, Ayama, Koroama, Nedugo, Obunagha, Ogboloma, Okolobiri, Okotiama, Polaku, Agidama, Akanbiri, Bomoundi, Bomoudigebene, Gbarantoru, Ikibiri and Tombia.
Mutiu Sumonu said aside their training they were further assisted to set up their own businesses through provision of business start-up grants.
Represented by Mr. Evans Krukrubo, General Manager, Sustainable Development and Community Relations, Mr. Sumonu said the beneficiaries were subjected to a 12 month training programme, which consisted of vocational, technical, industrial attachment, entrepreneurial training and certification examination.
According to him, the skill areas covered by the programme include wielding and fabrication, computer and secretariat services, fashion design and tailoring, confectionery & catering services, electrical wiring/electronic repair and hair dressing.
He said the women who were each presented with business start up grants and starter packs relating to their trades would be in better position to improve their income and assist their family.
Describing the LiveWIRE programme as SPDC’s flagship programme designed to enhance youth entrepreneurship and income generating capabilities as well as promote self confidence and build self esteem Sumoni said it was an effective approach to meeting the needs and aspirations of young people.
