APC will create three million jobs yearly, says Buhari
• Party to revive moribund industries
PRESIDENTIAL candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), has pledged to create three million jobs yearly for the nation’s unemployed youths if voted to power.
The former head of state equally promised to revive hundreds of moribund industries and textile companies, most of which died naturally due to epileptic power supply and poor economy.
“Steady supply of power is just necessary. If voted into office, we will try within our capacity to revive textile industry, reinvigorate the solid minerals sector and make sure that state governments work with the Federal Government to make Northern Nigeria a food basket of Africa, where agriculture will be encouraged among our farmers,” Buhari assured.
Of Boko Haram, he said: “Boko Haram issue is nothing but fraud. Yes, it is a fraud, because there is no religion that encourages people to go and kill innocent souls. They go to churches and mosques slaughtering people just like that and chanting Allahu Akbar (Allah is the greatest). It is either they don’t know what they are saying or they don’t believe in what they are saying.”
When asked about the Chibok girls, Buhari said the issue showed the gross incompetence of leadership in the country, adding that the government and security agencies were telling lies upon lies.
“I still wonder seeing Chadian and Camerounian troops coming to Nigeria to fight Boko Haram for us! This is serious! This tells you how insensitive and careless the leadership is.”
Buhari, who gave the assurances yesterday while addressing a town hall meeting in Kano as part of its presidential campaign strategy, expressed worries at the growing poverty level and employment, blaming the present administration for poor handling of the nation’s economy.
Citing opportunities in agriculture and trade, the APC presidential candidate reminded the business community of the party’s policy thrust on economic growth and social justice, adding that when voted to power, he would restore hope and build up Kano’s economic viability.
While pledging the party’s support to the independent power plant established by Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso’s administration, Buhari hinted that his government would also tap into natural resources and boost the nation’s refineries.
“We are aware that Kano is the economic nerve centre and financial gateway in the north and even North Africa,” he said. “We also know that Kano is home of textile in Nigeria. If these areas were properly managed, the country wouldn’t have recorded this huge economic crisis and unemployment.
“If given the opportunity, we will work to sustain effective economic growth and social justice for the good of the people.
“I want to applaud Kwankwaso’s administration for the establishment of independent power plant and other developmental projects. We will revive infrastructures and increase import duty to discourage local manufacturing.”
However, the former president of the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria, Bashir Borodo, urged APC government, if voted to power, to check cases of insecurity in the country.
