BY MURITHI KINYUA

Photo By Anncieta Mukiri

The youths and women leaving along the Eastern and western bypasses in meru town are set to benefit as the county Government in partnership with the World Bank and the government of japan will involve them in mentainance of feeder roads that connect the bypasses through the community roads empowerment (CORE) Program.

The CORE is an NGO based in Kenya which trains youths on how to improve feeder roads using DO-NOU Technology that uses locally available materials and requires human labor only without much machinery, hence creating employment opportunities.

Speaking during the second consultative meeting with the residents of mjini, Majengo and Gitimbine, World Bank representative madam Monica Sawyer said that community engagement is very important because the financier will know how the program will help them.

Ms. Monica added that the consultation will also help them to evaluate how the program will help to improve the living standards of the community and their livelihood as well. She said after the engagement they will write a proposal to the Japanese government for the funding.

Municipality MCA Mr. Elias Murega hailed the county government and the World Bank for coming up with such program that will see youth empowered, he noted that the program will benefit the community both directly and indirectly.

Mr. Murega promised his support to program and encouraged the youth to take its advantage and use the money they will get to initiate projects that improve their standards.

His sentiment were encored by his Timau West counterpart Mr. Paul Bagine who said the program will create a lot of job opportunities to the youths and women and also improve accessibility.

Roads and Transport director, who represented the county government said that the Government through the department is committed to work with the World Bank.

World Bank team lead by madam Akiko later payed a courtesy call to the deputy Governor who promised them that the county Government will fully support the project.

The DG thanked the national government for the support it has given to Meru County in terms of the two bypasses saying that meru is the second beneficiary of the bypass after Nairobi county.

"We thank the the National Government, the World Bank and the Japanese Government for this project I know it will have a positive impact to the young people leaving along the bypass, as the county we will support the project," Ntuchiu noted.