1st June, 2011
The Zonal Chairman of the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN) for Anambra, Imo and Ebonyi, Dr. Chike Obidigbo, has decried the high unemployment in the South East Zone of the federation.
Obidigbo told newsmen in Awka on Tuesday that the development had resulted in rampant crimes in the zone, explaining that Anambra had the highest number of unemployed youths.
He said that the State Government had not shown enough commitment to eradicating unemployment, urging it to fashion out programmes that would reduce the scourge.
According to him, manufacturers in the state cannot access loans from banks and other institutions, due to insufficient proof of land ownership, being the collateral usually demanded by banks.
“Part of the reasons we want to see the governor is to appeal to him on the need to let one of his commissioners take up the job of signing certificates of occupancy (C of O).
“This is about the only state I know where the governor himself has to sign the C of O.
“The governor is a very busy man, and the result of this is that before you get a C of O, you have to apply and also be at the Government House almost every day for more than one year,†he said.
Obidigbo, a former lecturer at the University of Nigeria (UNN), solicited the State Government’s cooperation with MAN, to fashion out ways to industrialise the state and create employment for youths.
