President Muhammadu Buhari has been called upon to confront the challenges of infrastructure, rising cases of job losses and poverty in the economy.
The call came weekend as organised labour disclosed that over 60,000 jobs had been lost in the construction subsector alone since inception of the present administration in May 2015, a development they said not only aggravated the poverty level in the economy, but “very worrisome.”
Amechi Asugwuni, president-general, National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers, told BusinessDay in Lagos that construction companies had been laying off workers, citing unpaid contract sums by the Federal Government. “We need to remind the government that this has social implications for the economy,” said Asugwuni.
According to him, one major way to check rising insecurity in the country is for the government to create an atmosphere that enables both public and private sector companies engage the citizens in productive ventures, and not to cripple the economy.
“The union supports the anti-corruption campaign but calls for rapid and holistic approach. President Mohammadu Buhari needs to confront the problems of infrastructural development and other social vices with vigour and urgency to reduce poverty rate, joblessness and insecurity in the country,” he said.
Against this background, the union strongly advocated the reactivation of all abandoned projects, immediate commencement of extensive rail/road networks construction, saying these would create room to positively engage the people and reduce unemployment.
Meanwhile, Segun Oshinowo, director general, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), also called for the creation of an enabling environment for women in businesses.
Oshinowo spoke in Lagos at a forum to announce the 10th anniversary of NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW) and its fourth-coming summit.
According to him, people appointed in governance have failed to create conducive atmosphere for business activities to thrive and this is affecting business operations, especially women.
“Market survey shows that if business operators fail to address issues affecting demands and focus on supply, there will not be improvement in the economy,’’ the director-general said.
Lola Okanlawo, president of NNEW, speaking on their activities, said the network had trained over 1,000 youths in different entrepreneurial skills to secure their future.
She said the network was also partnering state governments to train another 650 youths to turn their hobbies into business to create employment in future.
JOSHUA BASSEY
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
