In the spirit of celebrating the 14th anniversary of Democracy in Nigeria, the Minister of finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala has revealed that Nollywood, under the administration of president Goodluck Jonathan has created over 200,000 direct jobs.
The former Managing Director of the World Bank and coordinating Minister of the Economy stated this at the presentation of President Goodluck Jonathan’s mid-term report in Abuja, as part of the activities lined up for May 29, Democracy Day celebrations.
While touching on other overwhelming national issues relating to the economy, she lamented that over 10.6 million Nigerian children were out of school.
Mrs. Iweala also listed other achievements of the current government in the last two years.
“Nigeria’s economy is growing by 7%. Our banks are strong, our stock market is strong. Our job now is to see how the banks can lend to individual real estate developers at lower interest rates.
“Nollywood with the aid of the President has single-handedly created direct jobs for unemployed youths.
“In the past two years, the government has built 68,100 social houses across the six geopolitical zones.
“Nigeria now produces 28 million metric tons of cement, but needs only 20 million. So Nigeria is now a net exporter of cement.”
She continued: “In the past week, 800 MW was withdrawn for maintenance issues. Power has improved in many Nigerian cities” she said.
Speaking further, Mrs. Iweala left no stone unturned as she touched virtually every sector of the Nigerian economy and hitting on their immense progress and contribution to the growth of the country.
“Money has been directed to roads too. Port-Harcourt to Maiduguri rail lines will be completed in 2013. More rail lines to go live by the end of 2013.
“Inland cargo depots now handling over 4 million metric tons, rising from 2.9 metric tons.
“34 independent power producers have gotten licenses, three have actually commenced works. Federal government spends N180 billion on improving child delivery and has so far trained 9,000 midwives.
“Exchange rate is stable (N155-160), reserves are rising, inflation has reduced. Our economy is growing.”
Mrs. Iweala ended her long lists of achievement with an Igbo proverb, saying, if the left hand washes the right, both will end up clean.
Meanwhile, Nigerians keep expressing mixed feelings over the pace and style of governance as the country celebrates her 14th Democracy Day.
The Federal Government had declared May 29 as Democracy Day since 2000, to commemorate the return of Nigeria to civil rule after many years of military incursion.
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