Asaba Trainees Protest Alleged NCDMB Empowerment Exclusion

Participants in a one-month training programme on industrial and residential generator repairs sponsored by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board have protested an alleged plan by the Board’s vendor, UloSpaces, to deny many of them empowerment benefits attached to the scheme.

The aggrieved participants staged a walkout yesterday from the training venue at the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Asaba, expressing dissatisfaction over what they described as intimidation and attempts to shortchange them.

The protesters alleged that out of more than 50 participants undergoing the training, only five persons were being considered for financial empowerment, while others would allegedly receive only tool brushes and stipends.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, Frank Izobo said the programme was designed to train youths in the repair and maintenance of industrial and residential generators, but claimed several irregularities had surfaced since the exercise began.

“I am one of the participants in this programme. It is an NCDMB-sponsored programme and the vendor this programme was contracted to is UloSpaces,” Izobo stated, adding that participants applied online and were shortlisted for the training.

According to him, the organisers later announced that only five participants would receive cash rewards ranging from ₦100,000 to ₦250,000 based on performance rankings, a development he said contradicted the objectives of the programme.

“For us, this is contrary to the guidelines of the NCDMB empowerment programme. We are not here for quiz competitions or essay writing.

This is an empowerment programme sponsored by a federal government agency. All we are asking is for the vendor to explain why only five persons out of over 50 participants are to be empowered financially,” he said, alleging further that the vendor threatened to involve the military to arrest participants after complaints were raised.