The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Imo State chapter has expressed concern about what it referred to as worsening economy, increasing poverty and poor living standard of the people and called on the Hope Uzodinma government to creatively address the issues instead of pursuing shadow and playing to the gallery.
The party noted with dismay that not less than 102 bakeries in the state have close ship recently and about 15,306 bakery workers disengaged because of unfavourable business climate and frustrating economic conditions.
This was contained in a release dated August 3, 2021 and signed by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Ogubundu Nwadike and made available to the press.
The releasee reads in part, “the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State frowns at the news about how as many as 102 bakeries in the State have been forced to close shop, owing to bad business and economy conditions, culminating in the sad sack of 15,306 workers in the state. This Party feels very much outraged at such a worrisome revelation about real economic hardship in the state among entrepreneurs and citizens. Consequently, Imo PDP hereby charges Governor Hope Uzodinma to wake up, settle down in the State, and begin to address issues bothering on the very bad economy of the State and its attendant poverty and sufferings upon the people.
We find it rather too insensitive that in a State that is currently without standard industries and factories, and without any plans or policy for industrialization, the regime could afford to toy with the business and economy sector of the State, warranting the forced closure of 102 bakeries and sacking of 15,306 workers. This Party stresses that if such a high number of bakeries are forced to close by avoidable circumstances of bad economy, then the dream and vision for the industrialization of the State is in serious jeopardy. Governor Uzodinma must take relevant actions to save the business and economy sector of the State from avoidable failure.
It is instructive that the economy of Imo State witnessed a tremendous leap in critical deliveries, owing to the leadership and governance acumen of the governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, CON and his crack Economic Team that was led by a very reputable business finance and economy manager, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo.
It is sad and unfortunate that in the 20 months of Governor Uzodinma’s regime, the once declared fastest growing economy in Nigeria has rapidly dwindled to become counted among the slowest growing economies in Nigeria. This must not be unconnected with the nonchalant attitude of the regime to issues pertaining to the business and economy sector of the State, where all focus is placed on statutory allocations from the federation account, while the business and economy community is weighed down and impoverished with an assortment of taxes, rates, levies, etcetera by the present regime.
Imo PDP is grossly appalled that as many as 102 bakeries have been shut down by their owners because of insolvency, just as 15,306 Imolites have been sent into the already overwhelmed labour market. Our Party heartily sympathizes and empathizes with the bakers who have been forced out of business by bad leadership and bad governance delivery by the current operators of the State, while also feeling for families and dependants, who must be facing the pains and pangs of man-made poverty, hardship and sufferings in Imo State.
We, as a party, suggest that all manners of taxes, rates and levies on such Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) manufacturers and producers as the packaged water industry, the bakery and confectionery industry, etcetera, should be suspended forthwith until there is a clear evidence that the economy of the State has remarkably improved. We believe such a policy decision and measure is required now to enable the few industries and factories in the State survive, and continue to provide employment, which this regime has failed to provide after nearly two years in office.
Imo PDP, however, encourages Ndimo to remain resilient, patient, calm, and prayerful in the face of the high rate of poverty in the state, be optimistic and expectant of the resumption of better life in the state in no distant time, when PDP would have been restored to power by Imo people to continue the rebuilding of the state”.
