NECA faults presidential jobs board composition

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association has noted with concern that the newly inaugurated Presidential Jobs Board does not include employers in the real sector of the economy. Though the association commended the Federal Government for its job creation initiative, it, however, noted that the real sector was better positioned to assist in creating sustainable jobs in the country. In a statement on Thursday, NECA expressed the hope that the outcome of the initiative to address the huge unemployment rate in the country would be made known to all stakeholders. President Goodluck Jonathan had on Wednesday inaugurated the Presidential Jobs Board, headed by the Vice-President Namadi Sambo and mandated it to create three million jobs in 12 months. NECA said, “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. 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 According to the association, the private sector has formidable institutions such as the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria; Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture; National Association of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises and National Association of Small Scale Industries, which represent grass root enterprises and entrepreneurs. These institutions are better placed and positioned to work with the government in creating sustainable jobs, it added

Punch Newspaper