European Union Denies Knowledge of Imo State’s Promised 4,000 Jobs

By Iyojo Ameh

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma’s promise to secure 4,000 jobs for the state’s residents, announced during a campaign rally on September 28, 2023, is now under scrutiny.

The Governor claimed to have negotiated this job arrangement with the European Union (EU) and Canadian companies, including offering to cover flight expenses for job beneficiaries.

Reportera, a leading news outlet, took the initiative to verify this bold assertion by reaching out to the European Union for clarification. Upon contacting the European External Action Service (EEAS), it became clear that such an arrangement was outside the EU’s jurisdiction.

The EEAS spokesperson explained that the EU primarily monitors the operations of companies within its member countries and does not engage in direct employment negotiations.

The spokesperson emphasized that if any employment agreement existed, it would be the responsibility of the involved companies to negotiate terms with job seekers or partners, as such arrangements fall under the private sector’s purview.

Furthermore, the EU expressed doubts about the legitimacy of Governor Uzodinma’s claim, noting that partnerships of this magnitude typically involve close scrutiny and oversight by the EU. As of the EU’s knowledge cutoff date in September 2021, no such arrangement had been reported or endorsed by the EU.

Correspondence with the Europe Direct Contact Centre via EuropeDirectContactCentre@edcc.ec.europa.eu echoed the spokesperson’s stance, reinforcing skepticism regarding the promised job provision.

As of the time of this report, there has been no response from the Canadian Government regarding the matter. Reportera intends to provide updates as soon as any official response is received, shedding more light on this evolving story.