Job Opportunities Can Stop Militancy – Rep Aspirant
ABUJA, Sept 04, (THEWILL) - A House of Representatives aspirant on the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Timi Solomon has said the only panacea to eliminating youth militancy in the Niger Delta is to create employment opportunities for the idle youths in the region.
Solomon who is vying for the Ijaw South Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State said if elected into the parliament he would champion the enactment of laws that would lead to creation of jobs for the youths.
He blamed the imposition of candidates on the electorates by political parties in the past as being responsible for the poor performance of people in public offices in Nigeria.
The aspirant lamented that most of present crop of legislators especially from the Niger Delta have not distinguished themselves in the parliament due to their withdrawal from the people.
"The reason is that some of the people that have represented us were imposed on us and therefore have failed to realise that they are accountable to the people. It is a pity that my area is still largely undeveloped compared to the resources we contribute to the national purse coupled with the fact that my people have been sidelined in the scheme of things by our representative at the National Assembly who has consistently failed to consult with the people to know their priority needs".
On why he is vying for the position, Solomon a trained Computer Engineer explained that his ambition was "borne out of the love and passion that I have for my people and I also feel that my people are not getting the desired representation at the National Assembly particularly at the House of Representatives".
He assured that if elected, "I will engage my people meaningfully by empowering them in various ways apart from attracting the goodwill of government to my constituency. Secondly, if I get my party's ticket and get elected subsequently, I will see to the promotion of making laws for the good governance of Nigeria.
"I know of so many laws that need urgent amendment so that the laws will be in tandem with the modern day reality, For example, our Copyright laws, Trade Union Act, Workman Compensation Act and the Labour Act among several others need urgent review".
He expressed hope that with the new leadership in the PDP, the era of imposition of candidates would have been done with. "The era of imposing candidates on the people during elections is a thing of the past. The PDP of today under the leadership of Dr. Okwesileze Nwodo has said it loud and clear that the era of imposition of candidates is gone and that everybody should go a canvass for votes from the people as they are ready to provide a level playing ground for all aspirants.
"The party (PDP) is placing emphasis on one man one vote in the forthcoming primaries and that only credible and popular candidates will emerge as the party flag bearer in order to minimize post-election litigation which has caused that party some embarrassing moments in the past. Also take note that most people who had left the party due to one form of marginalization or the other are now returning in their droves because of the reform that is currently going on in the party", he said.