Edo YES beneficiaries protest govt’s decision to phase out scheme

BENEFICIARIES of Edo State Government’s Youth Employment Scheme, YES, yesterday, protested to the state government, appealing to the government to rescind its decision to phase out the scheme which has benefited over 5,000 youths. The state government had on Monday announced the phasing out of the scheme which is under the Rapid Response Agency.

Oshiomhole

According to the announcement by Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, Secretary to the State Government: “It is hereby announced for the information of all employees of Edo State Youth Employment Scheme, YES, under the Rapid Response Agency, that government has decided to phase out the scheme.”

The protesters condemned the state government’s action, noting that the decision would plunge families into further hardship. According to one of the protesters, who identified himself as Osaro:

“It will be difficult for us to feed our families because we no longer receive salaries. We are grateful to the state governor for giving us the opportunity to serve the state all these years but we beg that it should not be phased out.

“We understand that government took the decision due to the dwindling resources from the Federation Account to states. But we want to appeal to the state governor to urgently commence the recruitment into the civil service as he promised.

“He is a governor that wants to protect the interest of the poor and we hope that he will not want us to go back to poverty. It is our sincere hope that he will come to our aid. We are begging the governor, not to phase out this scheme, as life will be difficult for us, if he does,” he stated.