By Jennifer John
Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has lamented the high rate of unemployed youths in the state, especially in Nwangele/Njaba/Nkwerre/Isu Federal Constituency which he said has over 18, 000 unemployed youths.
The governor made his feelings known during the commissioning of an ultra-modern civic and recreational centre in Amaigbo, Nwangele LGA of the state.
He said his government has taken it as its main priority to provide employment opportunities to teeming Imo youths and called for stakeholders of the federal constituency to assist his government to achieve the aim.
He regretted that there was no federal government’s presence in the entire federal constituency, apart from the nursing school that was built in Amaigb during the second republic and used the opportunity to advise people of the federal constituency to always oblige whenever government indicates interest to site developmental projects in any of their lands.
“We have seen that most of the palm trees of Adapalm are old. We struggled to secure the seconding of the agro-industry value chain in this area and some communities voluntarily donated their lands and I am told that it is being politicized. Some people are saying it is RUGA.
“We are going to build 2,000 houses that will house all the agric workers in Imo State, build three modern oil mills, palm kernel oil refinery. This is a value chain that will create over 15,000 jobs, sponsored by African Development Bank and we are sitting it in Nwangele/Njaba/Nkwerre/Isu Federal Constituency”, he stated.
Fielding questions from newsmen, a leader in the community and former Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Amaechi Nwoha said the project was conceptualized by himself and other illustrious sons of the community about 15 years ago and expressed joy that it finally became a reality.
“We planned to provide a decent relaxation centre in the village, the standard of which we are used to in Abuja, Owerri, Lagos and internationally.
“That is why a group of young men led by me and my brothers came together about 15 years ago to commence the construction of this edifice, so we can have a sports centre where we can relax during holidays, Christmas seasons like this, play our sports and have a nice parley, decent food, decent everything”, Nwoha enthused.
