Why no Limavady jobs taskforce asks MLA

Following the announcement that a special task force is to be set up to deal with the aftermath of FG Wilson redundancies, East Londonderry MLA John Dallat has reminded the Assembly that a similar task force is still required in Limavady.

The local SDLP Assembly member pointed to the loss of around one thousand jobs in Limavady in recent years, and said that when the Seagate plant on the outskirts of the town closed, pleas for a special task force fell on deaf ears.

Mr Dallat, who believes a special task force is still required for Limavady, said: “There has always been an imbalance in the distribution of manufacturing jobs in the North with a heavy concentration in the east to the detriment of the North West.

“When Seagate announced the devastating news that a thousand people would lose their jobs there was a deluge of ministerial cars descending on Limavady but the plea to set up a special economic task force was ignored. Amazingly with hours of the dreadful news that a similar number of people would lose their livelihood at F G Wilson such a special task force was announced. Why the difference?

“Unemployment, wherever it occurs is ugly, it saps the self-esteem of workers and has a knock-on effect on the morale and confidence of whole families. The impact is the same whether it is in Limavady, Coleraine or indeed in those areas affected by the announcement by F G Wilson that jobs are to go to China.

“Historically the North West has had to cope with an unfair share of unemployment, emigration and economic deprivation.

“The recent announcement that The Department of Agriculture is to locate to Ballykelly should not be taken as the panacea for the future in this part of the North. There is no guarantee that this will have a significant impact on local business. Indeed the experience elsewhere is that it may not and for that reason I renew my call for a special economic task force, time limited and inclusive of a broad spectrum of talent which can chart the way forward which will breathe new life into our local economy and new hope especially for our young people many of whom see no option but emigration.”