ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, YENAGOA
The Bayelsa State Government has applauded the ingenuity of three youths – Peter Pleasure, Sapele Wisdom and Ewatiena Ezekiel, for developing a battery-powered generator.
Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, on Monday inspected the generator at Ofoni in the Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.He expressed delight at the innovation and saluted the creativity of the three youths, who hail from the community, adding that when completed, the project would not only do the state proud but also promote self-reliance and the production-oriented economic philosophy of the Douye Diri administration.
The deputy governor also announced monthly stipends for Peter, Wisdom and Ezekiel from his office as an encouragement to enable them to concentrate on the project.
Ewhrudjakpo, who is an indigene of Ofoni community, urged youths who are into cultism and other criminal activities to turn a new leaf and invest their energies in meaningful ventures for both personal and societal development.
He said the state government was committed to encouraging indigenous entrepreneurs, particularly youths who are ready to harness their potential.
The deputy governor said, “What they have done so far shows that with the battery, you can start the generator and it generates power.
But the problem is that, the battery will run down over time as it is being consumed.”So, I have charged them to come up with the alternator technology and they have assured me they can do it.
What is happening here in Ofoni is a clear demonstration that there are youths in Bayelsa who are ready to do the right things.”We will encourage them. I have just shown our preparedness by placing the youth behind this creative work on a monthly salary from my office so that they will not be distracted by other activities.”
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Mr Peter Pleasure, expressed gratitude to the deputy governor for the kind gesture.He said the project was borne out of their burning passion to become famous for producing a homegrown generator.