FG hinges economic recovery on private sector, says Osinbajo

The Federal Government yesterday said it was relying on the private sector to retool the country’s economy with its investment in industries that would lead to job creation.

The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, stated this in Okpella, Etsako East Local Council area and Auchi, Etsako West Local Council area where he commissioned the Bua’s Obu green field three million metric tonnes cement company and the rehabilitated Edo State Fertiliser blending plant.

Osinbajo also performed the ground breaking of the Obu second line three million metric tonnes per annum where he pledged that the Federal Government would remove all human inhibitions to encourage investors.

He said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is determined in taking private initiative enterprise seriously and that government is committed in ensuring business is done with ease in Nigeria.

He also commended the government of Edo State for creating a conducive environment for the private sector to thrive.

“The construction of this plant is of course a big boost to the Nigeria economy. It will provide thousands of direct jobs and indirect jobs both for skilled and unskilled workers from the commencement of the construction of the plant to the smooth running of the operations process.

‘’This enterprise typifies our expectation as a government in the economic and growth recovery plans, which was launched by president Muhammadu Buhari on April 05, 2017. He made it clear that Nigeria’s economy emancipation and growth must be private sector led and driven. There is simply no public sector resources that can matched the resources, drive and the commitment of a private sector. And for us as a government, doing all we can to encourage investment of this type, it is not just a good idea but a corner stone of our economy policy. There is no other way to grow this country without the active private sector.’’

At the commissioning ceremony, Governor Godwin Obaseki told the Vice President that the Auchi fertiliser plant was abandoned 14 years ago under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led government noting that the plant would help in generating new jobs and boost economic activities within the locality and the state.

He said with the take off, the fertiliser plant is capable of producing 5,000 direct and indirect jobs with 60, 000 metric tonnes of fertiliser.

Some of the dignitaries who graced the occasion were the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh; Minister of Health for State, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah; Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Gadunje; Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomohle and Pally Iriase.