The Civil Society Coalition on Economic Growth and Employment in Rivers State has called on the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to take decisive policy steps to address the unemployment crisis in the state even as his second and final tenure draws gradually to a close.
At a press conference which held in Port Harcourt on Thursday, the group which is a coalition of civil society organizations, the Academia, youth and women bodies, and community groups regretted that no clear policy framework has been put in place by the Rivers State Government to create jobs and reduce unemployment since the 2020 data from the National Bureau of Statistics revealed the high unemployment rate in the oil rich state.
The Coalition in a statement signed Deborah Effiong, Inyingi Irimagha, Akeodi Allswell Ali, Raisa Senibo and Vincent Gbosi gave recommendations to help stem the ugly tide:
1.That the Rivers State Government to declare a state of emergency on issue of unemployment in Rivers State.
2. A more effective approach towards the reduction of crime, insecurity and illegal oil bunkering the creation of jobs that can absorb the teeming youths pulled into these criminal enterprises that is deleterious to the environment, lives and properties in Rivers State.
3. That the Rivers State Government make the issue of economic growth, human capital development and job creation one of priority transition issues before the elapse of the Governor Nyesom Wike led administration.
4. That the Rivers State Government look into other sectors like Agriculture, Manufacturing and Production, Tourism and the Creative Sector as key sectors with the ability to create sustainable jobs in Rivers State.
5. The Rivers State Government should create a business enabling environment for the private sector to thrive, strengthen Small and Medium Enterprises through grants and loans.
6.The Civil Society Coalition on Economic Growth and Employment in Rivers State recommends that the candidates in the run-up to the 2023 gubernatorial election in Rivers State prioritise economic growth and job creation as part of their policy framework for the administration of Rivers State in the coming years.
The Civil Society Coalition on Economic Growth and Employment in Rivers State emerged from a broader governance project themed Hope, Action and Progress for Women and Youths in Politics (We You Pro) and is facilitated by the Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN).
