This article is from page 10 of the 2014-02-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
A NIGERIAN born information technology consultant has confirmed his intention to run as a candidate in the 2104 local elections.
George Atijohn (47) intends to seek election in Ennis. The married father of two has lived with his family in the county capital for over 14 years. He has worked as a management and IT consultant. He currently volunteers as computer instructor in Ennis for the Clare/Limerick Education Training Board (ETB).
This is Mr Atijohn’s first time entering the political arena.
He says he wants to help achieve the “unprecedented transformation of County Clare through viable and sustainable economic structures”.
“Economic regeneration at the local level will ultimately improve the economy of the country,” he explained.
He wants to see Shannon Airport as a catalyst for job creation.
Mr Atijohn explained, “There is a new law in aviation (fifth freedom rights) which enables an airline to fly from its home country to a second country for example like Shannon in Ireland, picks up passengers there and fly to a third country for example New York in the USA. Most flights originating from West Africa pass through the European airspace enroute to the USA. Deals can be made with these airlines to make a stopover in Shannon for their passengers to undergo pre-clearance”.
Mr Atijohn said he wants to see greater focus on drugs awareness programmes in Ennis.
He also believes greater encouragement of multiculturalism can boost the local economy in Clare.
“Harnessing human capital resources of the other ethnic nationalities can improve the economic wellbeing of the town/county,” he added.
Mr Atijohn says he supports affordable housing initiatives through the Public Private Partnership approach. He hopes all candidates will be afforded the opportunity to discuss issues at a public debate.