Ahead of the 2023 governorship election, Deltans must put on their thinking caps and elect Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi, as Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s successor. Gbagi’s definition of job creation is the notion that jobs are created in response to some sort of event or situation.
Gbagi, a renowned entrepreneur believed that an economic slump (a period of poor performance or inactivity in an economy, market or industry, a recession, signaling a slowdown of business activity) or high level of unemployment.
Gbagi’s idea of job creation is the proactive opposite of unemployment. To revamp the economy, Gbagi’s government plans to borrow less, drastically cut the cost of governance and truly diversify the economy.
Though, there is nothing wrong with borrowing but doing so for consumption rather than investment in critical areas that can repay the loans poses a threat to the economic survival of the state.
Olorogun Gbagi, with his vast knowledge in governance as former minister of education and business ideas would check the rising debt as well as the increasing cost of debt servicing, as he intend to place a moratorium on borrowing when he assumes office in 2023.
According to Dr. Chukwuma O. Nwaonicha, a public affairs analyst, said, “In a practical sense, organization or industry only hires more workers when necessary to satisfy demand for its products or services. Therefore, industrial or manufacturing based organizations are very crucial in the State to achieve meaningful and sustainable job creation.
“In the developing world, improved jobs and livelihoods are an indispensable means to eradicate poverty and establish a virtuous circle of expanding and inclusive economic growth. Inclusive economic growth, if sustained over time, is the only way to tackle poverty across the State.
This is what Gbagi, a renowned Criminologist is set out to achieve.
“Destitution or absolute poverty is obvious in the State and it is caused by the deprivation of basic human needs, which commonly includes money, food, water, sanitation, clothing, shelter and health care among others, and it can be reduced through meaningful and sustainable job creation”.
Despite various machinery put in place by the Dr. Okowa-led administration to revamp ailing industries such as the Bendel Glass and Bendel Steel industries, it is not yet uhuru.
On February 14th 2018, the State government approved the revamping of the two industries to create jobs for its teeming unemployed youths in the state.
The government said it would revamp the Bendel Steel, Bendel Glass industries, among others, through a public private partnership (PPP) arrangement by retaining 20 per cent share-holding in the companies.
Also worthy to note, the government said the Kiakia Gas Limited would invest in Bendel Steel structures while Steyrvistar Limited would invest in Bendel Glass Industries Limited.
Global Smartfit Nigeria Limited would continue with its proposal being processed by the committee under the mandate of the state Economic Management Team just as the approval for the development of Burutu Modern Market and that of Ozoro Modern Market were also given.
Four years down the line, these industries that would have engaged thousands of Deltans, due to government’s poor investments, low revenue, all of which threaten the state’s economic growth owing to the fact that government does nothing creative to put the economy on the path of recovery and growth.
Gbagi’s plan is to eradicate poverty, productive employment and decent work for all, interrelated social integration and protection and mutually reinforcement. He is determined to provide the enabling environment to promote this need to be created at all levels of government in the state.
Olorogun Gbagi, is ready to close the widespread deficits of available decent work opportunities and lack of labour market conditions and especially for young women and men in the State. His government would address the challenges of youth employment by developing and implementing strategies and policies that provide young people in the State decent and productive work.
