Following the award for the construction of the eleventh and twelfth flyovers by the Rivers State Government, Civil Rights Council in the state has urged the Governor, Nyesom Wike to create employment opportunities for the teeming youths of the state rather than concentrate on infrastructure development .
Rivers State Conference Chairman of the Civil Rights Council Mr. Arinze Robinson told Newsmen in PortHarcourt that while physical constructions and infrastructural development is plausible, the Council consider the huge resources invested in them too massive and concentrated in small geographical location of the state in the face of rising poverty and poor standard of living of Rivers people.
"With an unemployment rate of over 43 % and a rising youth population, it is expected that government would invest in human capital development, especially of its youth population, and create an enabling environment for job creation and support for MSMEs, rather than strangle them. There are also capital budget provisions in the health and education sectors without funding, hence a perpetual recurring of these projects in the yearly budget provision of the state"he stressed .
Mr. Robinson noted that while flyovers are good for the aesthetics, an undue focus on the state capital would escalate urban-rural migration.
He advised the state government to reconsider further Flyover projects and consider investments in human capital development and other economic ventures that will bring about the employment of the teeming jobless youths of the state.
The chairman also frowned at the prolonged ASUU strike, and called on the Federal Government to meet the demands of the striking workers to enable the Universities to reopen for learning.
"The Civil Rights Council notes with dismay the ongoing unending ASUU strike and condemns the lackadaisical attitude of the Federal Government in resolving the Labour crisis. This is one of the many insensitivities of the current government to the plight of the citizens. No serious leadership anywhere in the world will allow the universities to be shut down indefinitely without taking proactive steps to resolve whatever is the cause of the standoff.
stands with ASUU in this trying moment while advising them to stand strong in their demands. We urge all labour organizations and all progressives to stand with ASUU to drive home our Message, " he added.
He noted that the Council will continue to participate in popular advocacy towards ensuring that the government meets the demands of the ASUU workers.
Comments
Post a Comment