Glo, Shell partner on poverty alleviation

Globacom, the second national operator and multinational oil exploration company, Shell, have signed an agreement to take poverty alleviation and youth engagement in the Niger Delta Region to an unprecedented height.

ITRealms Online recalls that the two companies have for five years been working together to productively engage Niger Delta youths in telecommunications services business.

The signing of the new agreement on Telecoms Self-Employment Programme (TELSEP EXTRA) in Port Harcourt recently would engage more Niger Delta youths in economic activities that will enable them run two profitable businesses under one roof.

It is also envisaged that the renewed partnership will help in “creating sustainable youth owned and managed businesses thereby reducing rural-urban migration and youth restiveness”.

Shell officials disclosed, last weekend that the deal would assist in maximizing the over 75 base station erected under a special arrangement with Globacom in Shell’s operational areas in the Niger Delta.

At the same time, the youths would also be trained and monitored to engage in telecommunications services alongside any other productive economic activity which could be combined under the same roof.

Additionally, Shell stated that following the lessons learnt in the past five years and the recent SPC-Globacom partnership for the roll-out of 75 GSM base stations across the Niger Delta, “the 2009 programme aims to scale up the programme by taking advantage of the new mast sites to enhance livelihoods of community members through telecoms and other small businesses.”

It is expect that thousands of youths in the Niger Delta have over the years benefited from this partnership and both Shell and Globacom said they are committed to taking it to a higher level.


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