The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar, has promised to create three million jobs every year if he is elected as president in the 2019 election.
This is one
of the key points in the policy document released by the PDP flagbearer today
(Sunday), which details a seven-year timeline in which he intends to deliver on
his campaign promises.
Giving a
breakdown of the rate of unemployment in the country, Atiku said, “Close to 16
million people are unemployed, nine million more than in 2014.
“Over two
million new entrants join the labour force each year meaning the unemployed
share of the labour force more than tripled in less than a decade: from 5.1% in
2010 to 18.8% in 2017
“Unemployment
for women and young people is at 33%, 70% of unemployed youths are uneducated
and unskilled.
“Creating
jobs and economic opportunities for these people will be vital both for
reducing the pool of easy recruits for violent groups and reducing underlying
grievances that feed the conflict”.
As a
solution, he said his administration, if elected in 2019 will, “Launch a new,
more efficient, cost-effective and sustainable national Entrepreneurship
Development and Job Creation Programme.
“Target the
creation of up to three million self and wage-paying employment opportunities
in the private sector annually.
“Target all
categories of youth, including graduates, early school leavers as well as the
massive numbers of uneducated youth who are currently not in schools,
employment or training.
“Create
incubation centres, clusters and industrial/commercial hubs to provide a marketplace
for MSMEs and SMPs.
“Champion
the repositioning and streamlining the activities of the existing Federal and
State Government Job Creation Agencies”.
Apart from
job creation, the document also lists three other areas of priority namely
infrastructure development, human capital development and poverty eradication.
According to
the former Vice President, he has plans to lift 50 million Nigerians out of
poverty, by 2025.
Furthermore,
he stated that he has plans to privatise the Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation (NNPC) and also sell all four national refineries.
Other areas
of focus in terms of infrastructure is the construction of 5,000 kilometres of
roads, and 5,000 kilometres of modern railway.
A statement
released on Saturday, by the Atiku Campaign Organisation, had explained that
Atiku’s decision to kick-start his presidential campaign with the launch of his
policy document was to reiterate his commitment to running an issue-based
campaign.
It added
that the intention was to take their policy directly to Nigerians and to
register Atiku’s belief that it would take the collective efforts of every
Nigerian to rebuild the country.
It read in
part, “That is why we want Nigerians to access the policy directly and
ultimately take ownership of it,” it said, adding, “Our campaign offers a
simple message: United, the people of Nigeria can begin anew, creating a
prosperous and secure future and a better life for every Nigerian.
“Our policy
document focuses on creating jobs, ensuring security, growing business,
developing power and water infrastructure, agriculture and education and how we
will empower women.
“Our
policies outline the goals and methods for developing and revitalising Nigeria
as the foundation of our campaign. This policy document is being launched to
encourage a dialogue with the people of Nigeria, inviting everyone to join us
in helping to get Nigeria working again.
“The PDP
presidential candidate looks forward to conducting vital discussions as he
travels across the length and breadth of Nigeria, meeting and talking with
stakeholders – farmers, small business people, workers, students, mothers, and
children.”
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