Unemployment: How Ayade’s Failed Promises Pushed Youths Into POS Business
2 min read
Godwin AJOM, Calabar
Operators of the Point of Sales, POS, business in Calabar have accused the state government of failing in its promise of providing employment and opportunities for skills acquisition.
On April 15, 2020, the state governor, Prof Ben Ayade had taken steps to create about 8,000 jobs opportunities for the people.
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He had said: “We are starting the real palliative on Tuesday, whether you are a gardener or cleaner whatever you can do, we will give a job but we can only pay you 30,000, if you know you need it and want to earn that amount, please put down your names and phone numbers, you will be contacted”.
The job opportunity was supposed to be for Cross Riverians between the ages of 18 and 35 years. But till date, the promise has not been kept. Some of the youths said they decided to go into the POS business out of frustration, having waited in vain for the governor’s unfulfilled promise.
Miss princess Adie, a POS operator at MCC road, shares her experience in the business. She said, “I have been in this business for two years now. It has not been easy, but I keep doing my best.
“I don’t make much profit though. I am just doing this business to keep body and soul together, I studied visual Art, I graduated from University of Cross River state, but still looking for a good job, that is why I am doing this business.
“I don’t enjoy it but I don’t have a choice, I cannot starve myself so I need to do something.”
Another POS operator around Atimbo has a similar view. “This place is my shop, I am Aniekan Peter, the POS I do here is to add up to my business here, at least I make little profits to add to the recharge cards I sell.”
Joshua Nduka at Ekpo Abasi is fed up with the POS business. “Some days I come here and stay from morning till night I will record only five withdrawals, sometimes three or more but it’s not encouraging. This business makes one lazy, I am tired of it but I don’t have a better job.”
