Edo state Governor, Adams Oshiomohle

The Edo State government has expressed the belief that its Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES) would not be scrapped after the present administration.

The state Commissioner for Labour, Establishment and Special Duties, Mr Didi Adodo, gave the assurance during an interactive session with newsmen in Benin.

Adodo said that the Governor Adams Oshiomhole-led government established the scheme in fulfillment of its electoral promise to employ 10,000 youths.

“The establishment of YES was in compliance with relevant laws,” he said.

On beneficiaries who do not enjoy any emolument, he said government was addressing the matter.

Adodo said government was thinking of either allowing the YES employees to “remain stagnant’’ or to merge them with public service.

He said government was collaborating with the state’s Head of Service for the best option.

On employment of casual workers by the state government, the commissioner promised to investigate the matter with a view to discouraging it.

He said some of the casual workers in its employ were retirees, adding that such workers were encouraged to give up the opportunity for the youths.

On the strike by tertiary institutions in the state, he said it was not salary-related.

“It is over a particular salary structure adopted for tertiary workers at the federal level but yet to be domesticated in some states.

“The state government had agreed to pay the new structure without arrears, but the striking workers are insisting on the payment of arrears,” he said.

Adodo stressed that the state government had not defaulted in the release of subventions to tertiary institutions in the state.

Source: Tribune