By Foster Obi
Labour Party candidate in the November 16, 2013 election, Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah, has said that creating a strong economy is one of the major planks of his action plan to develop Anambra State. Ubah said that in order to do this, he intends to create an economic and infrastructural revolution leading to increased employment, trade and growth in Anambra State.
He explained that he will transform Anambra into an industrial hub of Africa, tackle security issues by providing jobs to the teeming unemployed youths, create at least 40,000 jobs in both public and private sectors every year. He also intends to establish a state level Business Development Agency to provide support to businesses and help them access credit facilities and expertise.
Ubah said he intends to build a world-class airport, seaport and cargo village, as well as tap into and utilize the Igbo man’s strong-minded spirit of enterprise, industry, commerce and community; enter into Public Private Partnership, (PPP) both with foreign and local investors, in order to achieve economic growth objectives in Anambra State.
Other strategies according to him include, partnering with local councils and investors to assist in the development of markets, coastal trading outposts through the construction of jetties; promote culture and tourism as a means of creating jobs, and creating the Anambra Empowerment Agency to empower women both socio-economically and politically.
He intends to create jobs and employment, by supporting industries that tap into the productive capabilities of the people, and also provide large-scale support to cottage industries and businesses. “I have a master plan that will create at least forty thousand jobs in both the public and private sectors every year.”
According to him “our economic revolution will create the enabling environment for private business to flourish”. On Anambra Business Development Agency, he said that the state has some of the best and brightest professionals and gifted persons in Nigeria who have found it difficult to get a befitting job because of Nigeria’s peculiar politics, which does not often emphasize merit.
He affirmed his government will set up the Anambra Business Development Agency to provide advisory, financial, logistical and business support to new and ailing businesses, tapping into the strength of the people. The agency will also help package the businesses and enhance access to local and international credit facilities and expertise.
Ubah said “He will promote tourism and improve on the infrastructure of the Onitsha market to accommodate foreigners and Nigerians while transacting business. He added that he will build a world-class airport and air cargo terminal or village that will meet the needs of the people and facilitate the economic revolution his government will usher in Anambra State.
In the area of industrialization, creation of wealth and internal revenue generation, Ubah said he will run a government that will be economically viable and self-sustaining. “I intend to achieve this by running a highly industrialized state that will target the patronage of over 160 million Nigerians and beyond. I will also tap into and utilize our people’s strong-minded spirit of enterprise, industry and commerce as a means of developing Anambra State.”
