By Ikenna Collins
Youths unemployment in Nigeria has left much to be desired as all kinds of crimes are committed to make both ends meet. In this regard, the Imo State government has put plans on ground to empower and employ unemployed youths of Imo.
The Honourble Commissioner for Public Utilities and Youths Empowerment Doctor Ifeanyi Nwachukwu disclosed this in an interactive meeting with newsmen in his office at state secretariate complex, Owerri.
Data forms are given out to know the actual number of unemployed youths so that they will be absorbed and given allowance. “We will also train them on skill acquisitions as vocations so that at the end they will be able to set up their own businesses and be employers of labour”.
He said the government of Rochas Okorocha has employed more youths than the previous governments. “We have employed over 10000 youths of Imo. Those who are through with their NYSC are to be posted to institutions as schools, banks, hotels, etc”
The Honourable Commissioner emphasized that some of government parastatals are going to be reactivated and then concession them to private companies for effective management. Just as Adapalm, Imo Concorde Hotels, Imo Robber Estate, etc, have been concessioned.
The State government can reactivate and partner with private companies”. He emphasized.
The parastatals to be concessioned are General Hospitals, where foreign doctors and nurses will be used to run our hospitals effectively.
While speaking on the issue of water shortage in the state, doctor Nwachukwu stressed that plan has been put in place as to provide water to the people. He appealed to the people who are adversely affected to be patient as the construction company would replace damaged pipes for prompt flow of water.
“By the time this construction company handling the water project set to work – there would be enough water for the people”
In addition, the state government has marked out some of the illegal and dilapidated buildings at Mbaise, Orlu and church roads for demolishing, “We have given instructions to the owners of these buildings to pull them down”
He added that the NEPA has been pleaded to write off some bills/debts the state government owes it and ensures that constant electricity is provided to the people for optimal production.
“Government doesn’t own NEPA. The previous administration owes NEPA about N200b. we reduced the debts to remain N70b”.
The Honourable Commissioner therefore enjoined those who are handling and supervising public projects to be fair in their conduct.
