Atiku explains how to raise $10bn for SMEs; says APC is lying about developing Lagos
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has given a clear roadmap of how to revive the economy using a bottom up approach of empowering youths and women at the small and medium enterprise levels.
He said he would earmark $10 billion from the privatization of refineries to empower the small and medium-scale enterprises of such Nigerians.
Atiku made the disclosure on Monday during PDP’s presidential rally at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, attended by a huge crowd and top members of the PDP.
He identified the refineries to be sold as the Port Harcourt refinery, Warri refinery, and Kaduna refinery which have not been functioning for years now.
All refineries (four of them) in Nigeria have been moribund for many years, lying fallow with no production and incurring running costs in billions of naira.
Atiku said: “I am going to set aside $10 billion so that we can empower our young men and women in small and medium enterprises.
“People are asking me where am I going to get $10 billion? If I privatise Port Harcourt refinery, Warri refinery, Kaduna refinery, I am going to get the money.”
While asking the mammoth Lagos residents to vote in the PDP government next year, the former Vice President pledged that his administration will restructure Africa’s most populous nation.
In doing so, he promised to allocate more powers and resources to both state and local governments, asking the people to hold their leaders accountable.
The PDP candidate warned the people of Lagos against returning the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to power at both in the state and federal levels.
According to him, “a single family has ruled the state for 23 years. The Federal government built the third mainland bridge, Agege motor road, and other road infrastructures in the state, the APC govt is lying to you about developing Lagos.
“It is time for you to liberate yourself from a family govt in power for over 23 years, by voting Jandor as your governor.”