We’ve made effort to check job losses, despite harsh economy – Ngige

The minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, said his ministry is providing an enabling environment for job creation towards the realisation of employment generation which is one of the cardinal promises of the present administration. Ngige, however, pointed out that all over the world, governments provided 20% of jobs while the rest were […]

The minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, said his ministry is providing an enabling environment for job creation towards the realisation of employment generation which is one of the cardinal promises of the present administration.
Ngige, however, pointed out that all over the world, governments provided 20% of jobs while the rest were taken care of by the private sector. He stressed that the government was providing the enabling environment for the private sector to actualize that.
This was contained in the speech he delivered  to mark the 2016 Democracy Day and one year in office of President Muhammadu  Buhari’s administration.
The minister argued that the achievements of the present administration in the last 12 months could be better reviewed in view of   the present economic situation. He said at present, the nation`s OPEC production quota is 2.2 million barrels per day, a target the country was far from meeting.
“As we speak, the nation produces between 1.4 – 1.5 barrels per day, meaning that about 800,000 barrels per day  of the quota allocated to us by OPEC is lost. So, where other countries battle with over production and being sanctioned by OPEC, we are under-producing, unable to meet our quota. Unfortunate, you may say.
“This means that when we assumed office, we already had economic recession, crude oil being the major revenue earner for the country.  Without enough money to take care of the needs and welfare of the citizens, which is the primary purpose of government, the prospect of swiftly fulfilling campaign promises faces serious challenge.
“Nevertheless, the administration trudged on and has recorded immense successes in many areas,” he said.
Ngige said the prevailing economic situation demanded quick action because of the dire consequences of recession on the job market, already worsened by high rate of unemployment.
As part of efforts to save job losses, the minister said the government appealed to the International Oil Corporations, the oil majors, and the oil contractors who were the immediate businesses to feel the adverse effects of the drop in oil prices with prospects of job losses not to retrench workers and made suggestions on how to achieve that.
“We reasoned that if we can’t grow the industry further because of recession, we can at least hold onto what we have. The oil companies cooperated with us, and so also the unions and the oil contractors.  Today as we speak, there may be few cases of job losses but are not commensurate with the economic situation we have on our hands,’’ he said.