•Project to engage 5,000,000 workforce
A group known as the Warri Ijaw Peace Monitoring Group, WIPMG have called on President Mohammadu Buhari to kick start the Export Processing Zone Project in Escravos, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, insisting that its commencing will drastically reduce the current economic recession faced in the country.
According to a statement issued by the group’s Chairman, Chief Patrick Bigha few hours ago today in Warri, noted that the project has two components of Gas City at Ogidigben and Deep Seaport at Gbaramatu Kingdom, stressing that its kick starting will undoubtedly address the issue of unemployment in the region and the federation as a whole.
Commenting on the benefit of the project, Chief Bigha, alleged that the ground breaking ceremony of the project was performed by former President Goodluck Jonathan on March 26th, 2015 with the drivers of the project alleging that it would engage 150, 000 work force at the construction level and 5, 000, 000 at its completion.
The Chairman of WIPMG, noted that the government have a zero role to play in financing the project as it would only provide the enabling environment for its kick off.
It was further stated that the take off of the mega project will address the issue of militancy in the Niger Delta region as most youths will be meaningfully engaged while stressing that the bickering between the Ijaws and their Itsekiri neighbors will also come to an end.
“President Muhammadu Buhari should urgently order resumption of work at the Export Processing Zone (EPZ), in Escravos, Warri South West LGA, Delta State, which has two components of Gas City at Ogidigben and Deep Seaport at Gbaramatu, to address the issue of unemployment in this time of economic hardship being faced by Nigerians. As we write now, the land for both components of the project is ready to start construction and coupling of machines.
“It could be recalled that during the ground breaking ceremony performed by former president Goodluck Jonathan, on Thursday March 26, 2015, the drivers of the project did say that the project will engage 150,000 work force at the construction level and 5,000,000 work force at the completion of the project. No doubt this is a project that will reduce unemployment to minimum bearing if not totally eradicate unemployment in this part of the country. This is the time for this project to continue as it will help to reduce the effects of the current economic hardship Nigerians are going through.
“The beauty of this project is that it is private sector driven, as the government of Nigeria will not spent any kobo in the project, but will only provide the enabling environment for the private investors, which the two ethnic groups have promised before the inauguration of the present administration.
“The resumption of work will also address the issue of the Niger Delta resurgence as most of the youths including those that had had skilled training from the presidential amnesty programme will be engaged in the project. By then no one will be left to make trouble in the region. It will also address the incessant quarrelling between the Ijaws and the Itsekiris as sometimes idleness is the cause of such quarrels.
“To this end, it is our sincere and humble advice to Mr President to urgently order the necessary bodies to activate the project to address the issue of economic recession and unemployment in our country.” The statement noted.
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