By Philip Dzeremo
A business magnate and foremost Journalist, Joseph Waya, who is contending for the Benue gubernatorial seat in the 2023 general elections, says a lot needed to be done to reposition the state to its economic and political sustainability.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Waya, whose debut in journalism was with the Radio Benue station, attained the pinnacle of the profession as the Managing Director of the defunct Accord Newspapers, which he co-founded.
Waya told NAN on Wednesday in Makurdi that unless the state dealt decisively with its high unemployment rate, high debts, surging insecurity and youth restiveness, development would remain a mirage for it.
According to him, as a businessman with immense expertise in security and investment portfolios across several sectors of the economy, he would deploy his acumen to drive the economy and fix insecurity.
Waya, who said he was still consulting and would soon pick a political platform to actualize his aspirations, commended past administrations for contributing their quota to the state’s development.
He, however, admitted that ” in the last few decades, we cannot deny that our state has been crumbling under the weight of the challenges of high crime, unemployment, deprivation and poverty”.
Waya also decried the nonpayment of salaries and the high debt profile of the state, assuring that if elected, he would work hard to tackle such ills, to provide respite to the ordinary citizens.
” If we cannot develop our state, the dividends of democracy will elude us and our economy will collapse totally.
“I will devout my time and energy to address each of these challenges. Nothing will be more important to me than to see our people happy and safe again.
Waya said that he had the experience, the skills and the right attitude to effect the desired change in the state.
” I have the relevant contacts, experience and ability to establish channels of wealth creation for our state and introduce unique entrepreneurial programmes which will not only provide jobs , boost productivity but also launch our state into an agro-industrual and manufacturing hub,” he said.
He added that he had offered to serve ” because I understand most of our problems and challenges”.
The aspirant, therefore, advised the electorate to make good choices at the polls for their overall wellbeing.
He, however, admitted that while desiring to serve, he also understood that “government cannot be a panacea for all social ills”.
So, he pledged that he would create an enabling environment for the people to prosper in their chosen vocations and trades. (NAN)