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NECA decries exclusion of private sector from FG’s jobs board

By Businessnews Staff on September 13, 2014

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) yesterday decried the exclusion of the real private sector from the composition of the Presidential Jobs Board inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday.
The board which is chaired by Vice-President Namadi Sambo, is saddled with the responsibility of creating three million jobs in the next one year.
Other members of the board are: Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim; Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke; Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga; Minister of Labour, Mr. Emeka Wogu; Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina; Minister of Solid Minerals, Mr. Musa Sada; Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu; Minister of Education, Mr. Ibrahim Shekarau; and Governor of the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele among other ministers as members.
The umbrella body for the private sector employers, while commending president, said it would address the huge unemployment rate in the country.
A statement issued by the Director General of NECA, Mr. Olusegun Oshinowo, however observed that the real private sector which represents the grassroots enterprises and entrepreneurs are often excluded in the composition of such committees.
According to the NECA, often times, government equates successful entrepreneurs to the face and representation of the private sector.
He said the private sector has formidable institutions such as NECA, Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), National Association of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (NASME) and National Association of Small Scale Industries (NASSI), which represent grassroots enterprises and entrepreneurs.
He explained that private institutions are better placed and positioned to work with the government in creating sustainable jobs.
“This is a welcome development that would aid in addressing the time bomb of high unemployment among our youths, currently put at 80 percent by the CBN in June, 2014.
“We hope that this initiative will not go the way of others, whose outcomes were never known to the public or implemented for the benefits of the country. Jobs are key to the reduction of poverty, enhancement of security and sustainable economic growth.
“We, however, wish to note that the composition of the board, unfortunately, does not include the real private sector in Nigeria. Often times, government equates successful entrepreneurs to the face and representation of the private sector,” the statement added.

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