By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo
Governor Udom Emmanuel has challenged the protocol and parameters used by the National Bureau of Statistics that rated the state as the second highest in unemployment.
Emmanuel who spoke in an open interactive session with Akwa ibom people on Sunday in Uyo and monitored by our correspondent told the NBS that elections has since finished in the state.
He said he would not be distracted by the NBS report as he remained focused in the discharge of quality and excellent services to Akwa Ibom people.
“We were the second in foreign direct investment, every part of the state is a construction site, what do people call employment. I inherited 100 doctors and today we have over 400. I attribute this to ignorance. Investment in agriculture. Our target was 16000 hectares.
“Coconut plantation is employing upto 400. find out people in hospitality businesses, and none employs less than 250. it’s the same statistics they reeled out before 2019 election maybe NBS had forgotten than elections are over.
“Statistics has procedures and approaches. how did they arrive at their sample size. they dont even know the population of Nigeria. we done with election. its questionable to see an Igbo state have the highest level of unemployment.
“The fastest way to stimulate the economy is investment in industries. do you know how many workers we have under Ibom air? both direct and indirect.” He explained.
The Governor also acknowledged the feedback received from members of the public in the fight against COVID 19 as well as the distribution of palliative saying it is highly commendable.
He however urged Akwa Ibom people to continue observing completely the COVID 19 protocols.
On the demand by the people for the reopening of schools, the Governor said, “the Federal Government has the final say on reopening of schools. Once they give the go ahead on that, we will ring the bell and schools will open.”
