By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The Federal Government has held an evaluative workshop with the beneficiaries and implementers of the National Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy (NPRGS) programme in Awka, Anambra State.

The Workshop, which was aimed at engaging with stakeholders and beneficiaries of the program to elicit insight into their satisfaction and suitability of the program, in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of the current administration which emphasizes effective service delivery for good governance.

Addressing participants at the workshop, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Emeka Vitalis Obi said that the program being a key government initiative designed to accelerate national development by lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty within a decade through four core pillars namely: macroeconomic stabilization, industrialization, trade and growth and redistributive programs reaffirms the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth, job creation and national prosperity.

Dr. Obi further disclosed that recent field Evaluation findings carried out, highlighted a 25-30% increase in crop yields, over 60% of Technical Education and Training (TVET) graduates securing employment/started businesses and enhanced rural road infrastructure which had significantly boosted economic activities and access to essential services. 

“This evaluation workshop will be used to triangulate the report of the field valuation’’, he maintained.

Noting the import of the workshop, the Permanent tasked the implementing agencies and beneficiaries to engage in constructive discussions on how the government could define the approaches to implement and enhance the effectiveness of the NPRGS and ensure that its impact remained far-reaching, inclusive and sustainable.

The Permanent Secretary of Economic Planning, Anambra State, Chinyere Nwabachili, emphasized that the success of the program not only hinged on the strategies implemented but also on the collaborative efforts between government, development partners, Civil Society Organizations and the participating communities.

In her words, “Your insights, experiences and feedback will be crucial in shaping the future of these programs. Let us remain committed to the vision of a prosperous, equitable nation, where economic growth leads to the well-being of all citizens, especially the most vulnerable’’.

Also speaking, one of the consultants for the program, from Finestyle Human Resources Ltd. Ebere Chukwuemeka, explained that the training could not have come at a better time as the recent global recession had worsened unemployment and poverty levels in developing countries. Beneficiaries were trained on: Tailoring and Fashion designing, Plumbing, Baking and confectionaries, Cassava Processing, Painting, Bead making, Soap making, Solar-Power installation, etc.

The training contained various sessions like: Classrooms, simulation/practical exercises, group discussions and hands -on exercises.  He therefore called for a bigger cash grant with a loan component for women and youths in order to improve their living standards and also keep them productively engaged.

 In a brief interview with journalists, one of the beneficiaries, a fashion designer, Madam Ifeoma Nweke, testified that the start- off fund she received after her training enabled her to purchase necessary working tools for her shop. This went a long way in improving her efficiency on the job and generating more income for her family

Highlights of the event were presentation of papers on the programme implementation processes by implementers: Department of Rural Development, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Industrial Training Fund /Technical Education and Training (ITF /TVET), National Directorate of Employment (NDE), National Productivity Center (NPC) and on-the -site visitation of beneficiaries at their various locations.