A chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra, Neville-Sunny Uchendu has hailed Governor Charles Soludo’s policy of patronising locally-made goods, stating that it could lift Nigeria out of its socio-economic problems if embraced by others.

“The new policy direction of Soludo is achievable because no country develops if the government cannot evolve policies that could promote job creation, which equally checks crimes.”

He noted that if more governors would key into the policy of patronising locally produced goods, a lot of jobs would be created and billions of naira spent on importation of vehicles, fabrics and other goods yearly would be saved.

The APGA chieftain also called on the people of the state to support the move by Mr Soludo to sanitise revenue collection.

“Before now what we have in many states, including Anambra, was individuals given revenue windows to collect levies and taxes and then pay government.

“Our governor said no, that the practice was enriching individuals and made state governments to depend heavily on allocations from federal sources when they are capable of generating enough to manage their affairs.

“Anambra people should support him to end this reign which makes touts terrors on our roads, parks and markets.”

Mr Uchendu also admonished youths to embrace sparsely available poverty-alleviation programmes of the government to improve Nigeria’s economy.

“Our country will continue to sink if the youths refuse to key into government policies introduced to secure their future,” Mr Uchendu said in an interview on Saturday in Awka.

While advising youths to be more resourceful, he lamented that many have shunned vocational training and have delved into financial crimes.

“It is regrettable these days that our youths no longer learn skills such as welding, furniture making, panel works, tailoring, among others.

“Rather all that a good number of them indulge in is ‘yahoo, yahoo,’ and crimes,” he said.

The politician, however, failed to mention the youth-oriented initiatives that are readily available for enrolment. Universities and other learning institutions have been shutting activities due to the government’s failure to meet up with workers’ salaries and overall welfare — forcing a growing number of youths to stay at home.

(NAN)