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THE PARAMOUNT Chief of Ziavi Traditional Area in the Ho municipality, Togbe Korku Ayim IV has pledged to monitor the Road Maintenance Module of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) in the area particularly in the regional capital. He made the promise in Ho at the launch of the Youth-In-Road-Maintenance module of the NYEP. Togbe Ayim said his support for the programme is due to the bad nature of roads in the capital and other parts of the region which has always been a challenge. Togbe Korku Ayim, who is also a member of the Asogli Traditional Council, said the module is timely as it will create job opportunities for the teaming unemployed youth and maintain the few good roads in the region. He therefore urged government to remain committed to improving the road network and transportation system to transform the economy of the region. The module was initiated through the collaboration of the NYEP, the Department of Feeder Roads and Zeera Group, a private road maintenance and construction company. The Volta Regional NYEP Coordinator, Jessie Ekumebu disclosed that the number of NYEP beneficiaries in the region has increased by about 200 % from 5,253 to over 15,154 in the last two years. She also revealed that government had set up an exit package where beneficiaries contribute GH�5 per month from their allowances into a fund for the period of their internship. A lump sum will be given to the beneficiaries out of that contribution when they leave. Volta Regional Minister, Joseph Amenowode advised beneficiaries of the programme to take their training seriously and work diligently. He was hopeful that the module will cut cost in maintaining roads in the region and produce small scale contractors in the near future. He called for more private-public partnership in all facets of the country to ensure opportunities are fairly distributed and government spending on projects and programmes is reduced. A Deputy Minster of Information, Baba Jamal commended the erstwhile NPP government for initiating the NYEP programme which he said, has been perfected by the incumbent government led by President Mills. He urged the beneficiaries to always put Ghana ahead of their personal issues. The Deputy National NYEP Coordinator, Alhaji Tapsoba Alassan warned that any municipal and district coordinators who delayed in paying and submitting the documents of beneficiaries will be sacked. He also advised beneficiaries to ensure that their assumption letters, bank account information and other documents are submitted early for them to be paid on time. He revealed that the NYEP has earmarked 1,000 beneficiaries for the youth in road maintenance module in the Volta region. It has however started with 400 and the remaining will be placed on the programme by the end of the year. The National coordinator of the Zeera Group, Mohammed Awal pledged his outfit�s commitment to national development and urged the beneficiaries to desist from drinking and other habits that will inhibit their productivity. He also urged the public to welcome the programme and give it the necessary support.