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Akwa Ibom indigenes in South Africa worry over high unemployment in state

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According to the NBS report, Akwa Ibom is said to have the highest unemployment rate in the Niger Delta region at 45.2 percent and underemployment at 21.7 percent.

One million, four hundred and forty-four thousand, three hundred and ninety-nine (1,444,399) residents were recorded as unemployed with a total labor force of 2,534,495.

The Executive Committee of the Association Akwa Ibom Indigenes in South Africa after its meeting which was headed by the President, Mr. Moris Essien, urged Akwa Ibomites in the Diaspora to return and assist the government in providing skills and developments.

“An Akwa Ibomite established the first MacDonald franchise in South Africa that has so far grown to more than 300 stores around that country,’’ Essien said in a statement from Pretoria, South Africa on Thursday.

“The group can boast of leaders of industries and heads in various corporate and government departments. Why then can we not take back our skills to benefit our state.’’

The group also pledged its support for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) audit and urged the Minister of Niger Delta, Sen. Godswill Akpabio not to be distracted by people who were standing against accountability.

“In spite of Akwa Ibom State contributing the highest in oil revenue to the national purse, the state could be said to be the least beneficiary of the oil wealth.

“More than 25 years since the Nigeria Newsprint Manufacturing Company (NNMC), Oku Iboku in Akwa Ibom was shut down and over 10 years after it was privatized, the company has failed to resume operations and remained comatose.

“We call on the Federal Government to look at resuscitating various government businesses in the state like the Oku Iboku Paper Mill and the Aluminum Smelter Plant in Ikot Abasi as that will complement the state government efforts in boosting economic activities and provide employment to the citizens.’’

The association commended President Muhammed Buhari for approving a new oil and gas free zone for Akwa Ibom.

Among the Executive Committee members that attended the open virtual meeting are President – Moris Essien; Vice-President – Akaniyene Willie; Secretary – Emmanuel Iwatt; Assistant Secretary, Reuben Inyang and Welfare Officer, Etido Ogboro.



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