Nigeria to convene interactive session on economy

Nigeria to convene interactive session on economy

Nigeria’s President, Goodluck Jonathan says the government plans to hold an interactive session with top business executives on the country's economic growth and development.

He made the announcement on Tuesday in Ilorin while inaugurating the International Airport Cargo Terminal and International Aviation College built by the Kwara Government. 

Fostering economic growth

Jonathan said that the session would assist government to fashion out ways to move the nation’s economy forward.

He said the top business executives would bring to bear their vast experiences in the management of economy to proffer solutions to the various problems bedeviling the nation's economy.

President Jonathan said: “to achieve the objective of repositioning the economy, this administration will empower the six geo-political zones economically and partner with state governments.”

He said the construction of the Cargo Terminal would decongest Lagos and boost the economy of the North Central Zone.

Jonathan pledged that the Nigerian government would offset the cost of the Cargo Terminal recorded by the state government.

He commended the state’s governor, Bukola Saraki's for initiating the two projects, noting that the aviation college would go a long way in moving the aviation industry forward.

Saraki had earlier said that his administration initiated the two projects under Public-Private Project initiative to boost the economy of the state.

He said that government also decided to establish the aviation college to reduce the cost of training Nigerian pilots abroad and address the shortage of manpower in the sector.

The governor announced that the first batch of 22 students admitted into the college would resume on August 1, adding that the state government had already purchased six aircraft for the school. 

NAN/Williams