2023: My Govt Will Set Aside Funds For Creative Abia Youths – Alex Otti
Dr Alex Otti, the governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Abia state, on Wednesday pledged that his administration if elected come 2023, would allocate N5billion fund from the security vote to empower creative Abians.
Otti in an interactive session with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Abia state chapter noted that the state is blessed with youths who have creative ideas, capable of marketing the state and boosting the economy, however he regretted that many creative youths in the state have been abandoned on the streets with many engaging in criminal activities because they do not have an enabling environment to strive and also have no access to funds.
” We will provide them (Creative Abia Youths) support. A lot of people need access to capital and we will provide it” Otti said.
The governorship hopeful assured that his administration will ensure transparency and accountability to Abians, adding that the collective resources of the state would no longer be channeled into private pockets.
” This incoming administration, the security vote would be accounted for and it would be used judiciously. We are going to channel those monies that were going to sources other than credible sources to develop the state” he said.
Otti also assured that his administration would prioritize wealth creation, and poverty elimination in the state through industrialization. He lamented the extinction of major industries which were creating jobs and aiding in the internally generated revenues of the state.
The Labour Party Governorship Candidate assured that his Government would revamp moribund industries, create new ones, and also utilize the natural resources scattered in various parts of the state in commercial quantities, to create jobs and generate revenue for development.
He expressed confidence that Abia state can internally generate N50billion annually instead of the current N15billion.
Speaking on insecurity in some parts of the state, Otti said 80% of criminals in the state are involuntary criminals who engaged in criminal activities because of poverty and unemployment. He said his administration would concentrate on pulling out the 80% from crime by providing them with job opportunities while the remaining 20% would be dealt with the law.
