Small Industries Development Organisation (SIDO)
Small Industries Development Organisation (SIDO) says it is facing
an acute shortage of funds to establish centers in rural areas for youth
entrepreneurship trainings.
SIDO Marketing Manager, Henric Mdede told The Guardian in an
interview early this week in Dar es Salaam that the government has
already provided them with the land plots but they have failed to
implement the project due to financial constraints.
“We are very limited when it comes to funding for the rural
projects…we need support to raise our capital capacity if the project is
to take off and be sustained,” he said.
Mdede admitted that almost all the district councils have allocated
land for the project however he said the financial constraints are
worsened by the fact that in some districts, the land allocation is on
residential plots forcing SIDO to pay compensation that they do not
have.
“We appreciate what the government has done so far but we need the
funds to compensate people living in the earmarked areas if we are to
start implementing the project,” Mdede said.
Nonetheless, he said that despite the financial limitations, they
have started constructing training centres in Kongowe District, Coast
Region.
He said the training will focus on among other things,
entrepreneurship and technical skills on how to improve the quality of
products, processing and business skills.
“Such kind of training will help youth employ themselves,” said
Mdede adding that SIDO is also keen to link them with banks and
financial institutions so that they access loans.
He said that since SIDO’s establishment in 1973 it has been strongly committed to support people centered development programs.
He said the trainings are offered to grass root communities with
the aim of supporting the government’s efforts on poverty reduction
through creation of jobs.
