By Ivy Lawson
As the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election draws near, top local government chairmanship aspirant, Mr. Chimuenya Henry Umejuru has unveiled his plans to create jobs and attract new investments to Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) if given the chance.
Addresing journalists in his office at Omoku, headquarters of ONELGA on Tuesday, Umejuru, the Director of HH Foundation as well as CEO of HH Hotels and Apartments, Omoku, said he will prioritize job creation and economic growth, a key point in his five-point agenda.
According to the renowned philanthropist and human capacity developer, his administration will focus on creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive through the provision of infrastructure, incentives, and support services.
“We will establish a Business Development Unit to provide mentorship, training, and funding for entrepreneurs, especially young people and women,” Umejuru said. “We will also partner with private investors to establish industrial clusters, focusing on agriculture, manufacturing, and ICT.”
Umejuru’s plan also includes engaging oil and gas companies operating in ONELGA to employ teeming unemployed youths in the area.
“We will work with the oil and gas companies to establish a local content policy, which will ensure that a significant percentage of their workforce is sourced from ONELGA,” he said. “We will also establish a vocational training center, where youths can acquire skills in areas such as welding, plumbing, and electrical works, making them employable by the oil and gas companies.”
In addition, Umejuru’s administration will prioritize support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in ONELGA.
“We will establish an SME Support Fund, which will provide access to finance, mentorship, and training for SMEs,” he said. “We will also partner with private sector organizations to provide market access and linkages for SMEs.”
Umejuru’s economic development plan has been hailed as a game-changer for ONELGA, which has been struggling with high levels of unemployment and poverty.
“With Umejuru’s plan, we can expect to see a significant reduction in unemployment and an increase in economic activity,” said a stakeholder. “He has the vision and the expertise to drive economic growth in ONELGA.”