Imo Needs Industries To Employ Youths, Grow Economy – Engr. Okere Augustine
One of the respected Nigerian Engineers and one of the socio-political crusaders, Engr. Okere Augustine has said that Imo State needs to develop her industrial sector to accommodate Imo teeming youths for employment.
Okere made the statement while fielding questions from newsmen in Owerri, emphasising that the noise by successive government over road construction and rehabilitation is embarrassing.
He insisted that, as an Engineer with experience, road construction and rehabilitation should not ever be counted as achievement as such should be domiciled in the Ministry of work as a going concern backed up with annual budgetary allocations.
He said that governance is measured by the articulation of infrastructures and other socio-econonmic policies and how they are woven together with private sectors to ensure even development without allowing people to suffer.
He further argued that human capital development is more critical to a progressive society. He therefore called on the people of Imo State to vote for those who will create industries, empower them, create jobs and also make them job creators.
His words: ” We cannot continue to wander in the wilderness when there are things to do to compass us out of the wilderness.
“Another political year is here, we must look for those who have the requisite know-how to govern.
“It is appalling reading about Governors counting road construction and rehabilitation as achievements.
“Road construction, environmental renewal are just a fraction of what is need to keep a balance in the polity. Infrastructure, I agree is critical but should be captured in the Ministry of Works and through annual fiscal policies, funds are allocated. It should be a going concern and not seen as the only programme of a government.
“Government’s first line charge is security then followed by human capital development, job creation, and instilling hope and progressive spirit in the citizenry.
“Imo State must be repositioned to get off the present system of hopelessness, stagnation and impotence. I read that one of the states that could not attract any foreign investment was Imo State. Something must be done to change the narrative”.
He called on Imolites to go and register to get empowered to vote since it is the only way out of the woods in democracy.
“I implore our people to go out and register. Stop complaining by getting your voters’ card to exercise your civil rights. You can only get politicians to work and respect you when they know you are conscious of your powers to change them”, he enthused.
