FG’S ERGP WILL TACKLE UNEMPLOYMENT – MINISTER

The Federal Government says that the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) will tackle unemployment in the country.

The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma, dislosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

The Minister said that the youths are the most important resource that the nation has.

“They have a lot of energy; they have the drive and enterprise. When we tap the resources of our youth, we can really transform this nation.” He said.

Udoma said that the aim of the plan is to create a platform for all Nigerians, particularly the youth and to create jobs for Nigerian youths, particularly those in the IT sector which he said excites the youth.

“We want to expand the skills and also the internet access in agriculture and in manufacturing.  There is so much in the plan for our youths.” The Minister said.

Udoma said the ERGP was imbedded in the 2017 budget and would commence after passage of the budget by the National Assembly.

On how the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has fared, the minister said it had done well in spite of the challenges it met upon assumption.

He said: “You know we had serious challenges. The economy was seriously challenged and there was decreasing confidence on the economy.

“Right now we have turned things around; there is increasing confidence in the economy and in the future. We still have a lot of work to do but things are very positive, things are looking in a positive direction.

“But for me, my duty is to work hard and make sure we meet the expectations of Nigerians