By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
Former Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, has identified the non-implementation of government policies as a factor behind the Nigeria misfortune.
Speaking on Monday in Uyo as Chairman of Akwa Ibom Dialogue, a formal launch of the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno, Udoma stated that government policies must be implemented, adding that “the non-implementation of government policies have been the bane of governance”.
He charged Governor Umo Eno to ensure that the policies of the ARISE agenda are directed at making Akwa Ibom State one of the most desirable destination for investment in Nigeria and indeed Africa.
The former Minister however called on governments to create opportunities for private sector investment in job creation.
According to him, the private sector provides most of the investment required to grow the economy and create jobs, as such, governments must provide the enabling environment that would encourage entrepreneurship, innovation, investment and wealth creation.
“Government must provide an environment that encourages entrepreneurship, innovation, investment and wealth creation.
“It is incongruent on those in government to get those of us in the private sector to know the opportunities they are creating for private sector investment.
“A healthy private sector drives economic growth. It is the private sector that provides most of the investment that is required to grow the economy and create jobs, and job creation must be the essential part of His Excellency’s agenda, as creating jobs is the fastest way to alleviate poverty and elevate the living standards of our people.
“To be sustainable, most of these jobs must be in the private sector. In my view, government policies must be directed at making Akwa Ibom State one of the most desirable destination for investment in Nigeria and indeed Africa.
“To achieve success, we must set ourselves ambitious targets. Your Excellency, fellow Akwa Ibomites, let us think big,” he stated.
