Nigerian Government Promises Safety Nets as Fuel Subsidy Goes

Mr Emeka Wogu,
Minister of Labour and Productivity

Nigerian Government Promises Safety Nets as Fuel Subsidy Goes
By Helen Shok-Jok, Abuja

The Nigerian government has again promised to provide safety nets and invest accruing revenue from the removal of fuel subsidy, on infrastructural development in the country.

Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu, restated this at the launch of the Anambra State Youth Re-orientation and Empowerment Programme (ANSYREP) in Awka, Anambra State in the east of the country.

To realise this dream, government has begun adopting measures to stimulate the economy through appropriate policy direction, which would expand industrial capacity and encourage foreign investments.

Policy re-engineering

The policies, particularly the planned deregulation of the oil and gas sector, have been informed by on the need to do what was right, as the current regime of subsidies have become a burden on the nation’s economy and have not had any positive direct impact on the masses.

The Nigerian Government is also paying greater attention to infrastructural development that will support and sustain industrial growth, particularly in the private sector. The effect of all these policy re-engineering is expected to manifest in the creation of decent sustainable jobs for Nigerian youths.

Partnerships to curb unemployment

Chief Wogu stated that the Federal Government was prepared to join forces with State Governments to combat the menace of unemployment in Nigeria.

He said: “The Ministry through the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), is equally addressing the area of skill deficit among our unemployed youths through various training in vocational programmes. The Ministry has also established seven skill acquisition and is upgrading centres of excellence across the federation. These are all targeted at reaching out, increasing capacity and providing the necessary access to the unemployed.”

Need for synergy

The Minister called for collaboration in and synergy to provide access roads out of poverty. “…the Federal Government is prepared for collaboration in any area that will increase the capacity and competence of youths in the states. Mr President is not only committed to spearheading this noble effort across the length and breathe of this country but has vowed to reduce the rate of unemployment in Nigeria.”

Anambra state Governor, Peter Obi, assured the youths that they were part of the overall plan to nurture a new generation of Anambra youths in order to curb unemployment and build lasting national treasures.

Edited: Hajia Sani