Gatanga NGCDF to recruit skilled youths to work in local projects

Gatanga MP Edward Muriu has asked youths with technical skills to register to benefit from local projects implemented through NGCDF.

The MP has said his NGCDF team has resolved to ensure local youths are employed in projects as a way of empowering them.

The kitty, he said, has over Sh80 million set aside for upgrading local schools and that the projects will not be offered to contractors from other areas.

“We want those who are skilled masons, welders, painters and tile layers to register in our NGCDF office so we can plan how to implement the projects,” the MP said.

Engaging locals in the projects, he noted, will boost the local economy as it will ensure the funds allocated for projects circulate locally.

“If a school has an ongoing project, the technical skills will be offered by local youths and the construction materials sourced from local shops,” he added, saying the arrangement will create jobs for many local youths.

The labour-based model of implementing projects is said to reduce the cost of projects by 40 per cent and does away with contractors while locals provide construction materials and labour.

This ensures more projects are conducted using the same funds while ensuring residents get jobs and support their families.

The model has succeeded in the Kiharu constituency where a group of 15 MPs visited last week for peer-to-peer learning, having renovated and tiled all 112 primary schools.

Muriu said this at Kirathani grounds during the Ithanga ward tournament finals organized by the NGCDF.

The tournament will culminate at the constituency level and is aimed at exposing local talent and keeping the youths busy.

The MP announced plans to consolidate a constituency team that will be dubbed Gatanga United that will represent the constituency in other competitions.

“From next year, we will consolidate the best local footballers who will be identified through the tournaments to form one team."

Muriu said he will seek partners who will help give more awards to participants as a way of motivating them saying his NGCDF’s annual budget for sports is about Sh2.7 million.

More sports will also be incorporated and a tournament for juniors started to hone sports talents in young boys and girls.

In the wards tournament, Wanduhi FC won against Gatura FC after scoring 5 against 4 in the penalties to represent Kariara ward after both teams drew 0-0 in the finals.

Mukurwe Youngstars also scored 1-1 against Rangers FC and won on post-match penalties to represent Kihumbu-ini ward while Msalaams FC won on post-match penalties after drawing nil against Simba FC to represent Ithanga ward.