The Zamfara Community and Social Development Agency has recruited 1,500 youths and women for Labour Intensive Public Workfare (LIPW) under the Third Cycle of the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES).

The general manager of the agency, Umar Nakwada, disclosed this at a one-day training workshop for the beneficiaries in Gusau on Monday.

Mr Nakwada said the beneficiaries were employed through the NG-CARES delivery platform results area 1 to carry out various public workfare in their respective communities.

He also said that the beneficiaries were selected from across the 14 local government areas of the state to be engaged in environmental sanitation in public places.

“All the beneficiaries were selected based on merit, in accordance with NG-CARES guidelines.

“The beneficiaries, aged between 18 and 45 years, have the minimum education qualification of Senior School Certificate Examination,” Mr Nakwada said.

According to him, the training is aimed at educating beneficiaries on their roles and responsibilities.

“This is part of NG-CARES initiatives to create working opportunities and empower youths and women.

“Each of the beneficiaries is to receive 15,000 as a monthly stipend in a one-year temporary employment period,” he further said.

He urged the beneficiaries to be dedicated to their responsibilities.

“You are expected to work at least four hours daily from Monday to Friday of every week.

“You are expected to form clusters and embark on conducting meaningful service in your respective communities.

“We will ensure prompt monitoring of the beneficiaries to ensure that they are carrying the responsibilities saddled on them,” Nakwada said.

Also, the coordinator, state cares coordinating unit, Mukhtar Ibrahim, congratulated the beneficiaries on their ability to secure one-year temporary employment.

Mr Ibrahim advised the participants to ensure effective utilisation of their monthly stipends.

Among the papers presented during the training were the “Rights and Roles of the LIPW Beneficiaries” and “Relationship of LIPW Beneficiaries with Stakeholders”.

Other lecture topics were “Terms of Engagement for LIPW Activities and Empowerment” and “Formation of Cooperative Societies”, amongst others.

(NAN)