Anthony Iwuoma
The Akwa Ibom State Government has criticised plans by the Federal Government to employ 774,000 persons in the country, describing it as ‘promoting laziness’.
The state’s Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Mr. Ukpong Akpabio, on Thursday, while inspecting expansion work at the Dakkada Cottage Industries, in Uyo, said giving money to the youths for doing nothing, instead of developing and expanding individual economies, would be counter-productive.
The commissioner urged the Federal Government to invest the money in Small and Medium Enterprises because of the multiplier effect on individuals and the nation’s economy.
He said, “That money could have been better utilised in growing SMEs. For instance, if you use that amount for one local government to boost 100 small businesses in that area, do you know the multiplier effect it will have? That 100 SMEs will empower another set of people.
“Some of the SMEs will not only employ some people, they will also train some other people and purchase machineries and raw materials from others. Their finished products will also be distributed by another set of people.
“They are encouraging our young people to be lazy. It is wrong for you to be calling people out to give them palliatives and handout when the economy needs revival.
“It is wrong and that was what we suffered in the last administration in this state.”
