Lagos Governor Flays Nigerian Government’s Liberal Import Policy
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) said the present Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led Federal Government’s policy to open the nation’s ports to various foreign goods and products which were previously banned would continue to create massive youth unemployment.
Governor Fashola who stated this weekend while addressing members of the Ambassadors Club during a youth empowerment programme held at the Afe Babalola Auditorium, University of Lagos, Akoka in Yaba said the PDP-led administration has lost touch with reality.
“The Federal Government has recently directed that because items like toothpicks, textiles materials, furniture and vehicles that are 15 years old that are under ban are still finding their ways into the Nigerian market, the best solution is to open the Nigerian borders for them to come inâ€.
“With this move the question to be asked is: how do you expect Nigerian youths to get employed when these are products that can be produced locally by Nigerians who would not only get employed but also boost the nation’s economyâ€, Governor Fashola reiterated.
He said it was very intriguing that FG’s un-banning policy of textile materials importation was taken a few months after the same Federal government had approved and set aside N50 billion to revamp the textile industry.
Governor Fashola said with the policy somersault by the Federal Government concerning importation of used Tokunboh vehicles that are 15 years and above, the nation would soon become a dumping ground for all shades of unserviceable vehicles.
“Instead of grappling with massive unemployment in this country, we should be a country that provides jobs which people can also come from outside to take up here. Nigeria has no business with unemployment. One of the ways to go around the problem is to review the current curriculum of our universities to reflect the modern day needs of the nationâ€, the Governor added.
He said the Federal Government of Nigeria under the Peoples Democratic Party had squandered over 300Billion Dollars towards provision of steady electricity without any success.
Urging the students who filled every available space in the auditorium to see their University education as a tool to unlock their innate potentials, Governor Fashola said at the last Fanti Carnival organized by the State Government, all the costumes adorned by the participants were made by Nigerians.
Fashola urged the youths to vote for his party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) saying it has the idea and vision to turn around the country for the better and bring them a brighter and rewarding future.
He urged the youths to say no to violence, thuggery and election malpractices in the forthcoming elections, but rather use their votes to choose those they think will bring transformation to their lives going by the party’s manifestoes, antecedents and deliveries to the public.
The executive director of the Ambassador Club, Miss Ibidun Somuyiwa in her opening remarks said that there are several hidden opportunities in Lagos as a mega city and urged the youths to tap from them.
She urged boys and girls to search for wisdom as they walk on the streets of Lagos while distancing themselves from vices.
The event was attended by the University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Adetokunbo Sofoluwe, his Deputy, Prof Rahman Bello, Senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Special Adviser on Political and Legislative Powers Bureau, Hon Abdullateef AbdulHakeem and Publisher of Ovation magazine and Presidential candidate of the Conscience Party of Nigeria, traditional rulers and students who turned out in their large numbers to listen to the Governor.
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