June 19, 2015 By Victoria Saffa
In a bid to create more job opportunities for youth in the country, Human Settlement Programme, through United Nations Habitat, has designed training opportunity for about 4,000 youth to enhance youth employment under the post-Ebola recovery plan.
According to Senior Human Settlements Adviser at the Regional Office for Africa (ROAF), Doudou Sulayman Mbye, their objectives include providing training and employment opportunities for Ebola response workers and for youth to participate in labour based urban infrastructure, public works projects and to improve access to water, sanitation and hygiene in urban communities affected by the Ebola crisis.
Mbye, who was speaking in the office of Minister of Youth, Hon. Alimami Kamara, said the project will cost approximately US$10 million, with an expected outcome of improved water supply, sanitation and hygiene facilities in urban slum communities, reduced spread of infectious diseases, Ebola workers and youth acquiring new skills and gaining employment to sustain livelihoods and behavioural change, improving and achieving better access to safe water supply, improving sanitation facilities and hygienic practices.
He revealed a similar project in Rwanda after the genocide was a huge success, making youth more responsible and ambitious.
Responding, Minister of Youth Affairs, Hon. Alimamy Kamara, said he welcomed the project, noting that the country certainly needs such a project after going through a lot as a result of the Ebola virus disease.
He said technical assistance is key to changing the mindset and developing young people in the country, adding that his ministry is determined and well focused and assured that under his watchful eyes the project will be a success.
Minister Kamara maintained that giving basic skills and job opportunities to 4,000 youth is a great idea and that effort should not be derailed as when young people acquire technical expertise, the issue of mining contractors will be a thing of the past.