By Longtong Ibrahim
Kaduna (Nigeria) – Nigeria’s Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has reiterated the Federal governments’ commitment in providing jobs opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths of the country and making lives better for all.
In addition, the vice president said government has made provision of 500, 000 new teaching job and soft loans to be given out to small scale business men, traders, and artisan through the bank of Industry within the next 12 months.
Osinbajo made this known on Tuesday during the official foundation laying ceremony of 2000 affordable housing units and ground breaking ceremony of Galaxy mall and Galleria of the Kaduna state government in Kaduna.
He said the APC government has promised change to make lives better for Nigerians – parts of which are evident in the activities of the Kaduna State Government.
He commended governor El-Rufai for his initiatives and determination to deliver according to the mandates of the party. He noted, “the housing scheme is an important initiative: looking at 20,000 housing units within four years could be a radical revolution not just in Kaduna but Nigeria as a whole. Some states cannot even finished 1000 units of housing throughout their term. We are proud of the state governor because he represents the change we are talking about.
“Looking at what we will be having at the Galaxy mall and galleria – the facilities, cinema, eateries and amusement parks for children, it means also that there will be jobs and several people will gain employment.”
He expressed confidence on the state governor saying, “It is not all ground breaking that becomes reality but Gov El-Rufai is the man of his words, so in no distant time we shall come for commissioning of these projects.
On tackling corruption, Osinbajo maintained that, the present administration is committed to ending corruption, stressing that the stolen funds shall be recovered and those found wanting shall be prosecuted.
Earlier in his remarks, Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, stated that the housing scheme is aimed at addressing the housing pressure and deficit in the state.
According to him, the 2,000 housing unit projects is expected to be completed within the next 12 months, while his plans of executing the 20,000 housing units shall be completed within the four years of his administration.
He added also that, the N5 million galaxy shopping mall and galleria is scheduled to be completed within next 18 months – and on its completion, it is intended to improve the shopping experience for Kaduna residents, expand the options for quality recreation and create jobs during its construction as well as in the shops and eateries that will occupy the premises.
“Shoprite and Silver bird are proposed to be the anchor tenants of the mall. The mall will raise the game in retail, provide cinemas for the people and promote linkages with farmers and suppliers. That is the manner in which the malls that retail giants occupy tend to become centers of much tangible and intangible economic activity.”
The governor also pointed out that, “we have long declared Kaduna State open for business. Our government is playing its role as facilitator, creating the pull to attract investors.”
“We are identifying opportunities for the private sector to invest and create jobs for our people, as without employment no state can develop.
“We have invited bids to build trailer parks and enterprise zones in three locations across the state. Eighty-one companies responded to our call for interest in building new markets and trailer parks,” he said.
